Don Luis Adams, Sr
Don Luis Adams Sr, beloved husband of Dorothy L. (MacNeil) Adams, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at age 89 after a lengthy illness. A lifelong Fairfield resident, he was born in Bridgeport to the late Joy Charles Adams and Helen Francis (Seydler) Adams.
From early childhood, he developed a love of aviation as well as many outdoor activities, which included snow skiing, hiking, boating, and waterskiing. After designing and building many projects in his early years, it was clear he had the “knack”. He designed, built, and flew RC models, radio sets and a television. He graduated from UCONN in 1957 with a BSEE and joined Sikorsky Aircraft in the newly formed Flight Controls department. He earned an MSEE in Control Systems Engineering from Yale University in 1959. During his 52-year career at Sikorsky, he was essential in the creation of numerous innovations in automatic flight controls systems. These greatly enhanced helicopter capabilities and safety. The proudest of his technical achievements being the S-92 Helicopter. During his career, he received 34 US patents and many industry awards. He was an FAA Designated Representative and travelled near and far supporting the many helicopter platforms. Don not only designed state of the art aircraft, but also was an avid pilot of airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and hang gliders, and held a Certified Flight Instructor rating.
Don met Dorothy at Sikorsky, their first date was at a Sikorsky ballroom dance, where they danced every dance. The next day they went water skiing. They were married in 1960 at St George’s Episcopal in Bridgeport. They were long standing members of St. Paul’s Episcopal in Fairfield. They had three children, all of which followed him to the technical and engineering fields.
He cared deeply for all his family and friends, but most of all, his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy. He was a man of few words but demonstrated his love through his actions. He thoroughly enjoyed doing the activities he loved with his family and friends. Don was an incredibly talented engineer, with a calm demeanor and always willing to drop everything to help out friends and family near and far, no matter what the project. His hard work ethic, tenacity, and brilliance allowed him to solve any project he took on, whether at work or home. There was never a project he did not complete, even if it meant staying up all night to finish it.
After retirement, Don and Dorothy remained active in flying and skiing well into their 80s. Don stayed on top of the industry he loved by reading Aviation week cover to cover every week.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter, and their families, Don L. Adams Jr and wife Sheila (Reed) of Clarksville, TN, granddaughter Chelsea; David L. Adams Sr, wife Fiorella (Sacchetti) of Wallingford, grandsons David Jr “Luke” and Logan; Deborah L. Adams and James Magson of North Haven, children Abigail, James, and Hannah.
Friends and family may visit at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home on Sunday, April 14 from 1-3 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation or to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fairfield.