It is with deep sorrow that I must report the death of beloved Board member, Dr. Ralph Swanson. Ralph passed away on Sunday, November 11 at the age of 94.
Ralph achieved much success in his life including, but not limited to, retiring as a Colonel in the United States Air Force, serving at Los Alamos as a nuclear engineer and being assigned to the Pentagon operating under the House Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Before his retirement from the Air Force, Ralph commanded the headquarters of the National Range Division at Patrick AFB. Following his retirement from the military, Ralph worked at Kennedy Space Center as a managing engineer for both unmanned and manned space flights, including the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs.
In October of 1974, Ralph joined the BAC Board and served as Chairman of the Board from 1979 – 1981. He continued to serve on the Board Member Selection Committee and recruited many talented Board members, including our current Board Chair, Travis Proctor and longtime Board member, Diane Payne. No matter the topic at hand, Ralph always had thoughtful questions to ask during Board meetings, always keeping BAC’s mission at the focus.
As I’m sure you will agree, Ralph was a very fine man with a huge heart. We will miss him and his guidance as an active Board member dearly.
Amar Patel
President & CEO