Ground test expert, AEDC Fellow Robert Dietz dies

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Fellow Robert O. Dietz, 84, died Jan. 19 at his home in Manchester. 

The family will receive friends at the visitation Jan. 26 from noon-3 p.m. at the Central Funeral Home in Manchester. A "Celebration of Life" memorial service will follow the visitation at 3 p.m. from the chapel of Central Funeral Home with the Ret. Rev. William W. Millsaps officiating. 

Dietz, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1922, attended public schools and received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, Mo. and masters in aerospace engineering from the University of Tennessee (UT). He also did post graduate studies at UT. 

In 1944, he began his professional career as a research engineer at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) with the agency's Lewis Propulsion Lab in Cleveland, Ohio. 

By 1950, Dietz was in St. Louis working for Arnold Research Organization (ARO), the first support contractor for AEDC. He came to AEDC in 1952 and before long was a manager on the chief engineer's staff at the Engine Test Facility. In 1957, he moved from ARO to become AEDC's government chief of the advanced study group. 

From 1966 to 1970, Dietz made significant contributions to the future of aeronautical and aerospace engineering during his five years as director of the von Kármán Institute (VKI) for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium. His work at VKI earned him the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. 

Dietz returned to AEDC in 1970 and became the director of technology. His efforts resulted in improved management of research within the operating contract, and they significantly upgraded the response to Air Force requirements. Then, as the center's deputy of planning, he participated in the successful drive to plan, design, develop, promote and help find funding for what became the Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility (ASTF). 

Throughout his career, Dietz made a significant impact both nationally and internationally as a participant in a number of important organizations. From 1971 to 1980, he was a U.S. representative to the NATO Advisory Group on Aeronautical Research and Development's Fluid Dynamics Panel and later served as chairman for the organization's wind tunnel working group. 

He also served as the U.S. project officer for the Department of Defense (DoD) data exchange agreements with West Germany and France. 

Dietz authored more than 34 technical reports on a wide variety of topics, including one on the performance requirements for the basic design of the Mark I Space Chamber. 

He played a key role in developing and advocating the country's needs for an advanced transonic aerodynamics testing capability. This effort culminated in construction of the National Transonic Facility at NASA's Langley Research Center. 

Dietz was among the first of those inducted as AEDC Fellows in June 1989. He was a member of the Christ Church Episcopal of Monteagle, Tenn. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Robert Otto Herman Dietz and Albertina Sperflage; son, Chester Dietz. He is survived by his wife, Justine Chrisco Dietz of 63 years, son, Randy Dietz; and daughters Becky and Susan. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to Hospice of Highland Rim, the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society.