George Hopson
George Hopson, Huntsville Times
“George David Hopson, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Madison, Alabama on Wednesday.He held numerous positions at NASA including Fluid Dynamics Branch Chief, Structures and Thermal Branch Chief, Skylab Analysis Lab Director, Space Systems Chief Engineer, Space Transportation Systems Chief Engineer, Space Station Projects Office Manager, Deputy Director for Space Systems, Space Shuttle 
Main Engine Manager, and NASA Technical Fellow for Propulsion. He received significant recognition throughout his career including the Exceptional Service Award, two Outstanding Leadership Awards, two Presidential Rank Awards, the Distinguished Service Award and induction into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.”
Without George and his colleagues, there would have been no Apollo, no Shuttle program, or for that matter, SpaceX Falcons (the first Merlin engines being essentially reworked Fastrac engines developed at MSFC). We are sadly losing the great rocket engineers who were able to actually see an engine development program through from beginning to end. George was a fine fellow, a visionary, and simply a damn good engineer, the last the ultimate accolade because if it was easy to be an engineer, everybody would be one.
A truly great man and very sad. I am so very glad he did not suffer in any way.
Nicest guy on the face of the planet…
He transcended politics, political correctness, or petty concerns.
He never stopped learning and he was always generous with his knowledge, advice, and help.
I am sorry he could not live to see us back on the Moon or on Mars.
There’s a big hole in the Universe.
Steve Scott
Chief Engineer
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
George was a wonderful engineer and a talented technical leader. He was also a fine gentleman, someone who always took the time to be helpful and supportive to anyone who sought his advice. I thoroughly enjoyed ever moment I spent with him.