John F. Ward

John Francis Ward passed away peacefully on August 17th, 2024, at home with his wife, Jane, by his side. John was born on August 17th, 1930, in Watertown, NY to the late Gordon and Genevieve Ward. He attended Clarkson College in New York and earned his bachelor’s degree. He was an Executive Scientist with the Aerospace Systems Group or ORI, Inc., Rockville, Maryland. His responsibilities focused on rotorcraft technology matters in the Aeronautics and Space Technology located in Landover, Maryland. Until August 1985, John served as Assistant Director for Aeronautics (Rotorcraft), Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Washington, D.C. He also served as Executive Secretary of the NASA Aeronautical Advisory Committee Informal Subcommittee on Rotorcraft Technology. John joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in June 1952 as an Aeronautical Design Evaluation Engineer in New York for the Cibil Aeronautics Administration/ Returning to Langley in 1958 as an Aerospace Technologist in the Flight Research Branch, his research activities have been related exclusively to rotary wing since 1959. In September 1972 he was named Assistant Chief of Langley’s Flight Research Branch, responsible for developing a broad program in rotorcraft research and technology and for coordinating joint aerodynamic and structural activities with the US Army Air Mobility Research and Development Laboratory at Langley. John transferred to NASA Headquarters in May 1974 to serve as NASA Program Manager for the joint NASA/Army Rotor Systems Research Aircraft and Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft Programs. The recipient of a NASA Langley Special Achievement Award in 1972 for his work in rotorcraft research, John was the author of many technical papers dealing with rotorcraft research structures, dynamics, and aerodynamics. In addition, he has authored numerous articles on rotorcraft technology and was a contributing author for the National Air and Space Museum publication Vertical Flight- The Age of The Helicopter. John was the first recipient of the American Helicopter Society Howard Hughes Award (1978) for his contributions in helicopter research and technology. He received a NASA Headquarters Exceptional Performance Award in 1985. In 1986 he was presented a Fellow Award by the American Helicopter Society and was awarded the Society’s Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Lectureship for his lecture titled – Rotorcraft Research – A National Effort. John was a Sustaining Member of the Helicopter Association International and he served in various positions in the American Helicopter Society, including Editor of the Journal of the American Helicopter Society and Technical Chairman of the American Helicopter Society 40th Annual Forum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Genevieve Ward. He is survived by his wife Jane Ward. A visitation will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Easton, MD on August 22nd from 5-7 PM. A funeral mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1210 South Washington Street, on August 23rd at 11 AM. A graveside service will follow mass.

John F. Ward

August 17, 1930 - August 17, 2024