Ralph Butterworth Lightfoot

Background

Lightfoot, Ralph Butterworth was born on June 19, 1913 in Fall River, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Edwin Southall and Annabelle (Woodland) Lightfoot.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Aero. Engineering, University Rhode Island, l935; certified in helicopter design, New York University, l944; certified in avionics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Yale University, l946; certified, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, l95l.

Career

Junior engineer Sikorsky division, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l935-38; senior test engineer, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l939-4l; senior flight research engineer, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l942-56; chief engineer Sikorsky Aircraft division, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l957-66; engineering manager, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l967-69; senior staff engineer, United Technologies Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, l970-74; construction engineering, Ralph B. Lightfoot, P.E., Chatham, Massachusetts, l975-. Designated engineering representative Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, 1955-1960, 66. Member of advisory county for engineering U. Rhode Island, Kingston, since 1979, U. Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1964-1979.

Committee member National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 1965-1969. Member antisubmarine warfare committee National Security Industrial Association, Washington, 1964-1970.

Achievements

• Registered professional engineer, Connecticut, Massachusetts. Chartered engineer, Great Britain. Certified in helicopter design New York University, 1944, in avionics, Yale University, 1946, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1953.

Membership

Advisor high school and community college, Stratford, Connecticut, l959-74. Vestryman Episcopal Church, Stratford and Chatham, l960—. Instructor, vessel examiner United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Chatham, l979—.

Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Elmer Sperry award 1964), American Helicopter Society (honorary. President 1951, certified of merit 1948, Grover Bell award 1961), Royal Aero Society (Juan de la Cierva prize 1965), New York Academy of Sciences (Laskowitz gold medal 1965). Member United States Power Squadrons (full certified navigator, Commander, instructor Stratford and Cade Cod, Massachusetts since 1969), Tau Beta Pi.

Connections

Married Beatrice Sarah Walsh, February 2, l937. Children: William Edwin, Thomas Rogers.

Father:

Edwin Southall Lightfoot

Mother:

Annabelle (Woodland) Lightfoot

Spouse:

Beatrice Sarah Walsh

child:

William Edwin Lightfoot

child:

Thomas Rogers Lightfoot