Alan Phillips
Alan Harwood Phillips
“Alan Harwood Phillips, 60, of Albemarle passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020 at home surrounded by his family following a four month battle with brain cancer. … Alan was the founding director of the NASA Safety Center and served as director until his retirement in July of last year. Prior to his selection as director of the NSC, he led Langley Research Center’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance in Hampton, VA for four years. In this position, he led and managed the Center’s Institutional Safety and Mission Assurance Program and was accepted as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). One of Mr. Phillips’ greatest accomplishments was when he received the Presidential Rank Award, which recognizes select members of the SES for their sustained excellent service. Throughout his career and travels, Alan formed deep friendships with numerous colleagues.”
Ad Astra.
I’m really sorry to hear this. My thoughts go out to anyone who has lost a friend or family member to brain cancer; as I have.
Ughhh…hits home here too – my wife’s uncle went from diagnosis to funeral in a week.
R.I.P.
Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
While it is undeniable that cancer often casts a darker shadow than most illnesses (I’ve had it twice myself and know far too many family & friends whom it has claimed), but all illness is lousy. All serious illness is even lousier. And death due to illness brings its own kind of pain.
I hope Mr. Phillips and his family were/are able to find and embrace any remaining patches of light amid the shades of their grief.