Edward Ashelford
March 12, 1939 — May 21, 2023
Edward “Bud” Michael Ashelford, Sr. of Mt. Airy
Passed Sunday, May 21, 2023 .
Beloved husband for 63 years to Diane Edith (Krautler) Ashelford
Born March 12, 1939 in Durby Connecticut the son of the late Ellen Doris (Turgeon) Ashelford and the late Samuel James Ashelford.
Mr. Ashelford was retired from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he worked for over 35 years and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory for 10 as a Machinist and Mechanical Engineer receiving numerous awards from both. He was at the Eniwetok Islands to witness the Atomic Bomb test and also witnessed many Hydrogen Bomb tests. Bud was instrumental in the diagnosis of the O-Ring failure in the Challenger Shuttle Disaster. He served four years in the United State Army and in his last year he met face to face with President Eisenhower and even drove the Army Surgeon General.
Surviving in addition to his wife are son Edward Michael Ashelford, Jr of Bumpass, VA, son James Robert Ashelford and wife Fe of Rockville, MD , daughter Carol Lynn Ashelford of New Windsor, MD , siblings Shirley Wanciak. David Ashelford , grandchildren Ashley, Tyler, Jennifer and Jefferson
Preceded in death by brother Dickie Wanciak
Graveside Services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 2:00 PM at Lake View Memorial Park 2724 Liberty Rd. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com
Passed Sunday, May 21, 2023 .
Beloved husband for 63 years to Diane Edith (Krautler) Ashelford
Born March 12, 1939 in Durby Connecticut the son of the late Ellen Doris (Turgeon) Ashelford and the late Samuel James Ashelford.
Mr. Ashelford was retired from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he worked for over 35 years and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory for 10 as a Machinist and Mechanical Engineer receiving numerous awards from both. He was at the Eniwetok Islands to witness the Atomic Bomb test and also witnessed many Hydrogen Bomb tests. Bud was instrumental in the diagnosis of the O-Ring failure in the Challenger Shuttle Disaster. He served four years in the United State Army and in his last year he met face to face with President Eisenhower and even drove the Army Surgeon General.
Surviving in addition to his wife are son Edward Michael Ashelford, Jr of Bumpass, VA, son James Robert Ashelford and wife Fe of Rockville, MD , daughter Carol Lynn Ashelford of New Windsor, MD , siblings Shirley Wanciak. David Ashelford , grandchildren Ashley, Tyler, Jennifer and Jefferson
Preceded in death by brother Dickie Wanciak
Graveside Services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 2:00 PM at Lake View Memorial Park 2724 Liberty Rd. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com
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