WWII Pilot And Aviation Legend Was 84
Aero-News learned
Tuesday that Donald S. Lopez, 84, deputy director of the
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, died of a heart attack
on March 3. Lopez had been with the Smithsonian Institution since
1972, when he became part of the team led by Apollo 11 astronaut
Michael Collins responsible for planning the construction and
opening of the National Air and Space Museum.
As assistant director for Aeronautics, Lopez was instrumental in
developing the exhibits that welcomed visitors at the
museum’s opening on July 1, 1976 and have made it the most
visited museum in the world.
"The nation has lost a true hero and the Smithsonian has lost a
great leader," Smithsonian Institution acting secretary
Cristián Samper said. "Don Lopez was an American Ace fighter
pilot, author, educator, and museum professional beloved by all who
came in contact with him."
"Don’s contribution to the museum cannot be overstated,"
museum director Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey said. "For 35 years, he was
the guiding spirit, contributing his vast knowledge of aviation,
exceptional leadership skills, unflagging enthusiasm, and a sense
of humor that endeared him to all."
Lopez became deputy director in 1983, a position he held until
1990. He served as senior advisor to the director before retiring
in 1993. From 1993 to 1996 Lopez served as senior advisor emeritus.
He was again appointed deputy director in 1996.
Before coming to the Smithsonian, Lopez was already an aviation
legend: a fighter pilot in the 23rd Fighter Group of the 14th Air
Force -- successors of the legendary Flying Tigers -- in China. He
flew Curtiss P-40s and North American P-51 Mustangs, demonstrating
his extraordinary flying skills under the leadership of famous war
heroes Col. Tex Hill and Gen. Claire Chennault. During his two
years in China, Lopez flew 101 missions and tallied up five
victories, the required number to be recognized as an "Ace."
It was his exceptional skills as a pilot that qualified Lopez to
become an Air Force test pilot, which he did after serving in
combat. He completed a short combat tour flying North American
F-86s in Korea. Following an assignment to the Pentagon, he earned
a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering at the Air
Force Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in
aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. He spent
the next five years at the US Air Force Academy as an associate
professor of aeronautics and chief of academic counseling. After
his retirement from the US Air Force in 1964, Lopez worked as a
Systems Engineer on the Apollo-Saturn Launch Vehicle and the Skylab
Orbital Workshop for Bellcomm, Inc.
Lopez was a member of the American Fighter Aces Association, the
Experimental Aircraft Association and is a Fellow of the Royal
Aeronautical Society. In 1995, the National Aeronautic Association
named him an Elder Statesman of Aviation, and in 1999 he was
presented the Federal Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in
Leadership Award. He was also a recipient of the Frank G. Brewer
Trophy in Museum Education. Lopez was honored in 2007 as one of the
living legends at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at
Rickenbacker Field in Columbus, OH.
Lopez’s publications include "Into the Teeth of the Tiger"
(Bantam, 1986), "The National Air and Space Museum: A Visit in
Pictures" (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989) and "Fighter
Pilot’s Heaven: Flight Testing the Early Jets" (Smithsonian
Institution Press, 1995).
Lopez is survived by his wife Glindel, his son Donald Lopez Jr.,
daughter Joy Lopez and granddaughter, Laura Lopez. The family has
asked that anyone who would like to honor his memory make donations
to the National Air and Space Museum Donald S. Lopez Memorial
Fund.