OBITUARY: Former NASA Engineer Ronald E. Hinson Passes Away at Home Dec. 5 at Age 92

Part of NASA/Industry team that launched Neal Armstrong to the moon in 1969

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Ronald E. Hinson, a long-time resident of Dothan, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the age of 92. He was born on December 3, 1928, to Curtis W. and Etta Lois Hinson.

Funeral services in honor of Ron will be on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 3 pm at Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home with Brother Todd Whaley officiating. The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the service.

Ronald joined NASA during its infancy in space flight at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. He was a member of the NASA/Industry team that launched Neal Armstrong on his historic journey to the moon in 1969.

He was also a team member for the development and launch of the Space Shuttles. His last involvement in the Shuttle program was at California’s Vandenberg AFB with the NASA/Air Force team.

Following the loss of the shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the Air Force has canceled its plans for a military-managed space shuttle and Ron retired in 1987. The Hinsons remained in California for another four years, after which they returned home to Dothan in 1991.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother C.W. Jr and sister Carol.

Left to cherish the memories of Ron include the love of his life for 70 years, Evelyn Hinson; two children, William (Fran) Hinson; Pam (Steve) Alexander, four grandchildren; six; great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

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