Leland Forrest Belew, 83, of Huntsville, Alabama died Friday, June 6, 2008 after a long illness.
Mr. Belew, born February 25, 1925 in Salem, Missouri and was the son of the late Ross Rudell Belew and Maggie Hildred Greene Belew. He graduated from Salem High School in 1944. On September 15, 1944, the day he left for combat duty, he married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Jerena Scheidemantel. He served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946 and was a veteran of World War II where he served in the European Theater with the 70th Division, The Trailblazers. While in the service of his country, he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war, he graduated from The Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, University of Missouri (presently the University of Missouri-Rolla) with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
He was working for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, Tennessee when he became aware of the fledging missile program in Huntsville, Alabama. He joined the von Braun Rocket Development Program as a Design Engineer in May 1951, working in the field of rocketry and propulsion systems. At the Marshall Space Flight Center, he continued his work in the design, testing and production of rocket engines. He contributed to the fast start system for large rocket propulsion engines which, with later developments, gave our nation the capability of placing a man on the moon. In 1958, he was appointed the position of Manager of Engine Programs for MSFC where he was responsible for planning and directing the research, development and production of engine projects for various vehicles in NASA's Apollo Manned Space Flight Program, including the Saturn V engines that took man to the moon. He was the manager of the Skylab Program at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, a program that produced the world's first space station. Later he was appointed Deputy Director of Science and Engineering. After retiring from NASA, he joined United Technologies in Huntsville, Alabama as a vice-president. He retired in September of 1992.
Mr. Belew received numerous honors during his lifetime acknowledging his achievements in the United States space program. This included a Doctorate of Science from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri and an Aerospace Degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla in Rolla, Missouri. He received the NASA Medal for Distinguished Service, the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service, the von Braun Award, the Holger N. Toftoy Award, and others. During his career he represented his country and NASA at numerous international space congresses. He was a member of several organizations including the American Institute of Aeronautics, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the University of Missouri-Rolla Academy of Mechanical Engineers and as a registered member of the Missouri Architectural and Professional Engineers. Mr. Belew was the author of numerous papers, reports and books. He was editor of "Skylab: Our First Space Station" which received a "Certificate of Merit" by the D.C. chapter of the Society for Technical Communications. "Skylab: A Guidebook: which he co-authored with Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger received a Blue Pencil Award from the Federal Editors Association. This last book was also reprinted in Russia in the Russian Language.
He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church, Huntsville, Alabama where he served on its board and several of its committees.
Mr. Belew is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Jerena Scheidemantel Belew after 60 years of marriage and by his nephew Robert Werner formerly of Rolla, Missouri.
He is survived by two daughters, Melinda Belew Blackman and husband Mack of Huntsville; and Melanie Belew Brennaman and husband Alan of Huntsville: grandchildren Sharon, Daisy, Leland, Michael, Christopher, James, Rebecca, Ryan, Shea and Lindsey of Huntsville; two brothers, James A. Belew and wife Freida, Robert Belew and wife Erica of Huntsville; sister Sara Ann Werner of Rolla Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews including Diana Belew Salter and husband David of Birmingham, Thomas Leland Belew and wife Shannon of Huntsville, James and Jeannie Werner of Rolla, Missouri, and Stephen Werner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; numerous grandnieces and grandnephews including, Wylie and Holden Belew of Huntsville, Christopher Werner of Rolla, Missouri, and Helen and James Werner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at First Christian Church, Huntsville, visitation will be at 1 p.m. and the funeral following at 2 p.m. with Reverend Tom Van Lanningham officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skylab Restoration Project through the U. S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama.
Arrangements are being handled by Laughlin Service Funeral Home.
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