George J. Gleghorn Jr. May 27, 1927 - Aug. 27, 2021
George Jay Gleghorn, Jr. was born to Angelina Binda Gleghorn and George Jay Gleghorn, Sr. in San Francisco, California. He grew up in San Francisco, Oroville and Bucks Lake, Calif., in the company of many maternal cousins.
George attended the University of Colorado at Boulder on a special accelerated Naval officer training program, receiving a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with Special Honors in 1947. He met his future wife, Barbara Joy Meadows, at a non-Hellenic dance. They married in 1948 when he also achieved a Master of Electrical Engineering at California Institute of Technology (CalTech). He was sent to Japan as a Naval Communications Officer during the Korean conflict. When he returned, he earned his PhD cum laude from CalTech in 1955.
Dr. Gleghorn worked as a digital computer designer for Hughes Aircraft 1947-49, as a systems designer for Jet Propulsion Laboratories 1950, systems engineer for Ramo-Woolridge Corporation 1954-56, and then worked for Thompson Ramo Woolridge/Space Technologies Laboratories and many other TRW offshoots until 1990. During this time he was a manager for the Pioneer 1 and 5 and Explorer 6 scientific satellites, the Able 5 Lunar Probe, OGO and POGO geophysical observatories and worked as vice president and manager in space defense, product integrity and space vehicles, ending his career as vice president and chief engineer.
He held numerous advisory positions, including the Industrial Advisory Board for the University of California at Berkeley, 1980-1990, California Institute of Technology, 1983-1989.
Member of the Space Advisory Board, University of Colorado, 1985-1989. In retirement he was active as an advisor to the U.S. government, authoring a NASA report on protecting spacecraft from the orbital debris and advising NOAA on satellite guided weather systems. He is the author of five scientific papers on computer science and aeronautics. He was elected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering in 1990. He belonged to numerous societies of electrical engineering, aeronautics and computer science.
Dr. Gleghorn was deeply involved in public service on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. He served the PVP Library Board from 1968-1983 as trustee and then president. The Gleghorns helped establish Save Our Coastline (SOC), and he and Barbara were prominently involved in the successful effort to incorporate Rancho Palos Verdes as a city. He served the new city as Chairman of the Finance Advisory Committee on Taxation, 1986-1987. He was a board member of the Harbor Free Clinic in San Pedro. He and Barbara were founding members of the Pacific Unitarian-Universalist Church. They were also founders and continuing vigorous supporters of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
George was known for his fine voice. He sang barbershop with friends for CalTech, played guitar and folk songs, and sang in the church choir. He was a fanatic reader, crossword puzzle master, stamp collector and creator of puns. Barbara joined him on many international and national adventures, often with friends and relatives. He and Barbara were frequent hosts of international visitors. They are renowned
NIB -17 Iran Contracting Act of 2010. for the length and loyalty of their friendships, maintaining a relationship with the Soshitsu Sen XV, Grandmaster of Tea in Kyoto since the early 1950s, and a continuing 51-year friendship with a French CalTech exchange student.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Beth, Brian and Alice, and grandchildren Kalia and Eric Rothlind, Kira Levin and Gianna Gleghorn.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (pvplc.org) or the charity of your choice.
The Gleghorn children invite you to the celebration of the life of George Gleghorn on May 15, 6 p.m. at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes.
Court Rules in Favor Returning Bruce’s Beach to Owners’ Descendants
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff denied a petition by a Palos Verdes resident asking that Bruce’s Beach not be returned to the descendants of its original owners. In 1924, Manhattan Beach City Council took the property away from Charles and Willa Bruce through eminent domain. It was a resort that catered to Black residents, and white residents were not happy about it. Judge Beckloff said that the taking of the land away was racially motivated.
The land was recently transferred by the county to the family by use of California Senate Bill 796, which eliminated statutory restrictions that previously prevented this.
Details: https://tinyurl.com/Brucesbeachreturn