John Stack

United States of America

 

1906 - 1972

John Stack, former corporate vice president - Engineering and consultant for Fairchild Industries, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in September 1906.  In 1928 he graduated from MIT, and in that same year joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, NACA, the forerunner of NASA.

Stack joined Fairchild in 1962 as a vice president following his retirement as director of Aeronautical Research for NASA.  His AHS membership dated from 1968.  

Stack pioneered many experimental aerospace techniques.  He advocated and directed research that led to development of America's high speed aircraft and exploration of transonic and supersonic flight. The results of his work in aeronautical research won him nearly every accolade possible in the field of aviation, including the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, Collier Trophy (twice), the Institute of Aerodpace Sciences Sylvanus Albert Reid Award, the Air Force Association Science and Research Award and the Society of Engineers (Sweden) medal.

Stack was a member of the joint NASA-DOD Federal Aviation Agency task group on supersonic transport development; Aeronautical Technical Advisory Panel, Scientific Advisory Committee; Visiting Committee of the MIT Mathematics Dept.; director of the Citizens National Bank, Hampton, Virginia, a trustee of Hampton Roads (Va.) Academy and a member of the Virginia Peninsula Industrial Committee.

Mr. Stack was fatally injured June 18 when he fell from the horse he was riding.Obituary (pg-32) : Vertiflite July/August 1972

Obituary (pg-32) : VERTIFLITE July/August 1972