Posted on 04/19/2007 12:55:43 PM PDT by Rockitz
Friend and former co-worker, boris, passed away the weekend of 7 April at age 55 and was laid to rest in the Hollywood Hills on 16 April. He maintained a relatively anonymous existence here at FR since signing on 19 July 1998 and most recently posted on 29 March. He was an accomplished rocket scientist with an MS in mechanical engineering from MIT (1975) and BS in mechanical engineering from Cornell and was involved in many programs throughout his career from directed energy systems (e.g. lasers) to advanced propulsion systems such as nuclear thermal rocket engines, Peacekeeper Stage IV, various satellite systems, space station propulsion, advanced pulse detonation system concepts, solar rockets, propulsion systems for MESUR (precursor to Mars Pathfinder) and ARTEMIS (Moon Base) projects, Mars ascent engine, through his most recent work on the THAAD program. Additionally, he was a corporate and national resource with regard to Russian rocket technology and worked on studies of the RD-170, RD-0120, RD-701, NK-33, and D-57 engine systems. He was also a PC guru who independently wrote and sold graphics software for a number of applications. Originally from the Baltimore, Maryland, he was Jewish by birth, a science fiction buff, and enjoyed the music of Mike Oldfield. He was a strong supporter of Israel, an early critic of global warming by humans, and as a proud gun-owner he frequently posted in supported of 2nd amendment rights. He was a diabetic and had double bypass surgery in 1999 at age 48. He got me interested in FR early and I lurked for a couple years before signing on. Our conversations helped form my own conservative perspectives as well as those of many others. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
RIP Boris
I’m sorry to hear this as well. I had a lot of arguments with him about space technology, but it’s a shame that he had to go so young (particularly when he wasn’t much older than I am...).
Have a pleasant journey, boris. Thanks, Rockitz.
I always enjoyed reading Boris, though I didn't know he had such an extensive resume. 55, which ain't a whole lot older than I, is much too young to go.
R.I.P. FReeper Boris
Rest In Peace ROCKETMAN...you will be missed.
I “chatted” here with boris several times, years ago, and remember discussing Mike Oldfield (’Tubular Bells’). May God bless his family, and may he rest in peace.
I am in my 50s as well. I had many a private talk with Boris. Sigh.
Condolences to family and friends. May boris rest in peace.
Boris was a pretty sharp cat; sorry to see him go.
Way at the top of the list of my favorite posters. See you on the other side, my FRiend.
Thank you for the great tribute to your friend & FReeper boris.
2/3 rds...and “of interest” ping as you are in the same field as the man hi-lighted & thread author. (well, the little I understand about it all, I THINK you are in the same field)
My fave "Oldfield" is "Wonderland" and "Five Miles Out". I wish I could have discussed those with Boris. I did not know he liked Oldfield as well.
May God bless his family, and may he rest in peace.
Dittos!
That news is a damned shame.
RIP, boris.
Owl_Eagle
I remember reading his posts in firearms-related threads.
RIP.
Rest in Peace, Rocket Man
Music by elton john
Lyrics by bernie taupin
Available on the album honky château
She packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour nine a.m.
And i’m gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much i miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And i think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think i am at home
Oh no no no i’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it’s cold as hell
And there’s no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science i don’t understand
It’s just my job five days a week
A rocket man, a rocket man
And i think it’s gonna be a long long time...
prayer bump
sad ping
Smart man. Knew his sci-fi.
I’ll miss him.
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