Gerald Thompson

Profile Updated: January 4, 2013
Gerald Thompson

Photos (3)

Yes! Attending Reunion
Send Private Message
Residing In: Vernon, BC Canada
Spouse/Partner: Joyce B. Kulak
Occupation: Retired
Children: Debra, born 1968, Diane, born 1975
Comments:

After high school I attended the University of Minnesota and earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. I met my wife Joyce at the U. of M. and we married in 1963, moving to the San Francisco area I worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company launching rockets. "Pride and Joy" missions included first planetary flyby photos (Mars 1964) and first rendezvous and dock ( Gemini 8, March 1966 see photo). I did graduate work at Stanford in Palo Alto, completing an M.S. and Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics and worked at NASA Ames Research Center as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow.
We moved to Yorba Linda in Southern California in 1977 and I worked at the Hughes Aircraft Company and retired in 1999 after 20 years at Hughes. While at Hughes I was a part-time faculty member teaching engineering classes at Cal State Fullerton.
We have two married daughters, Debra living in Seattle and Diane in the San Francisco Area.
School Story:

I have several "stark" memories of our StLP school years. First I am so thankful for Miss Engan's 12th grade coaching me to take the U. of M. Engineering entrance exam. I owe everything to her! I learned much about life from football experiences, more from losses than wins. I recall a practice game when Marshall High School came and beat the h%$$ out of us and the senior year Robbinsdale game when we wallowed in the rain and mud and were slaughtered. Preparation is everything! I owe a lot to John Steimle for giving me drafting and metal forming skills that have paid me rich dividends! And thank you classmates for encouraging me to do well!

Comment
Profile Questions: Show Gerald's Profile Questions and Answers

Gerald's Latest Interactions

Hide Comments
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has left an In Memory comment for Marvin Shedlov.
Sep
25
Sep 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM

Marv was a great friend both in High School and college!  We both choose to major in Aeronautical Enginnering at the U of M.  One of my fondest memories with Marv was working with him on a fifth-year senior project at the U.  All aeronautical engineering students took a senior year design project class.  I teamed with Marv and two other students to attempt a detailed preliminary design of a jet powered executive plane that carried 10-12 passangers.  After doing the design, we built a scale model of it for wind tunnel testing.  We performed the wind tunnel tests at Rosemont Aero Labs.  I'm sure that was Marv's first exposure to the laboratory he later spent most of his career at!  We made a terrific team on that project and passed that course with A grades!  I have nothing but the greatest respect for Marv as a great friend and great engineer!  Rest in peace my fine friend!  You will be greatly missed by all, who knew you!

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has a birthday today.
May
03
May 03, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Apr
14
Apr 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Happy Happy Birthday Tim! Have some fun times today!
Your old pal! Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message. New comment added.
Oct 09, 2024 at 6:05 PM

Posted on: Oct 09, 2024 at 11:57 AM

Happy Birthday Old Pal Freddie! Hope both you and Peg are doing fine! Best Wishes From Us Up North!
Jerry and Joyce

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has a birthday today.
May 03, 2024 at 3:33 AM
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has left an In Memory comment for Penelope Penny Peppard Schuetz.
Dec 09, 2023 at 9:51 PM

So saddened to hear the news of Penny's passing!  She was a great friend to me!  I have fond memories of the many fun parties at the Peppard house!  Penny was always the life of the party!  God bless you Penny, and may you rest in peace!

Your frind always,  Jerry Thompson

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Oct 26, 2023 at 4:46 PM

Happy Birthday Kent! Have a Very Fun Day!

Your old pal, Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message. New comment added.
Oct 11, 2023 at 9:37 PM

Posted on: Oct 09, 2023 at 3:25 PM

Happy Birthday Freddy! Hope you have a fun filled day! Your old pal, Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Aug 16, 2023 at 3:22 PM

Happy Birthday Buddy Bruce! Hope you have a fun special day!

Always your buddy, Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
May 25, 2023 at 9:20 PM

 

Steve Sjordal and I are both upset about Vern's passing!  In a recent phone call to Steve I expressed my fond memories of Vern.  I first got to know him in 4th ot 5th grade when we played shiny hockey at the 29th and Webster rink.  I remember how every night two older guys, often John Plaisted and Scott Matchen would choose teams for the night.  The first guy chosen was always Vern Jarosak!  He was that good on the rink in 4th grade!  I always think of him as the most gifted athlete I knew!  At that time we all called him " Butch"!  All of is kids from Webster went on to Varsity hockey.  Plaisted, Matchen, Atwood, Jack Burke, Jim Boyce, Steve Sjordal, and Brice Martensen.  When shiny hockey ended we played pom-pom pull away with Jane Mcanney, cricket Atwood and other girls.  Great memories, great friends, R.I,P. Dear friend "Butch"!

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has a birthday today.
May 03, 2023 at 3:33 AM
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Apr 13, 2023 at 2:24 PM

Happy Birthday Don! Thanks for all the memories on the gridiron and hockey rinks!
Have a wonderful day! Jerry Thompson

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Oct 26, 2022 at 1:46 PM

Happy Birthday Kent! Have a fun day and maybe take your fabulous Mercury for a spin today, unless it is mothballed for the winter already! Your pal, Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Oct 09, 2022 at 4:38 PM

Happy Birthday Freddie! Hope you are well and having a very fun Day!
Always your pal, Jerry!

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has a birthday today.
May 03, 2022 at 3:33 AM
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Apr 14, 2022 at 2:38 PM

Happy Birthday Tim! Have a FUN DAY!

Jerry

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Oct 27, 2021 at 2:36 PM

Belated Happy Birthday to you Kent! Thanks for sending me all your sports headlines! I am enjoying all the memories they bring to mind! Last week I was watching the 49ers vs Colts playing in a torrential downpour! Reminded me of our Senior game at Robbinsdale when we were in a torrential downpour and couldn't pass or run because of the mud bath we were in. Somehow your '57 news clippings don't make mention of the downpour deluge! Thanks for sharing those memories with me! Always your buddy Jerry!

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message. New comment added.
Oct 10, 2021 at 11:55 PM

Posted on: Oct 09, 2021 at 1:18 PM

Happy Birthday Freddy! Have a wonderful Day!

Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson has a birthday today.
May 03, 2021 at 3:33 AM
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson posted a message.
Oct 25, 2020 at 2:42 PM

Wishing you a very Happy 80th Birthday Kent!

Back to Gerald's Profile Details
Hide Comments
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:56 PM
Jerry at Banff Springs Golf Club, Banff Alberta, October 2012
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:56 PM
First rendezvous and docking in space- Neil Armstrong in Gemini VIII docking with our LMSC Agena, March 16, 1966
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:56 PM
Recon satellite photo of Soviet launch pad, circa 1967, probably taken by a KH-7 bird.