William J. Sears

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, William John Sears, Col., USAF (ret) passed away on 30 Sept 07 after a lengthy battle with Esophageal Cancer. Bill was born in Cedar, IA 13 April 1931 and is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Orpha, four children Michael Sears, Cheryl Berude, John Sears and Patricia Atherton and 10 grandchildren. After four year enlisted service at Randolph AFB School of Aerospace Medicine, he went on to receive his BS from Iowa State University and his MS and PhD in Medical Physiology from USC. During his career he was with research/management at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB and the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine in England. Following retirement, he became Director of Bioengineering at Southwest Research, Senior Research Scientist at Technology Inc and subsequently the President of Aerospace Associates for 22 years. Dr. Sears was recognized internationally as an authority in the field of Aerospace Physiology and Human Factors of Aircrew and Ground Life Support Systems. He consulted with NASA on development of pressure suits, fire suppression systems and the Challenger accident. His work included two inventions of chemical defense and high altitude equipment, authored over 50 publications on a variety of procedures. He received numerous military awards including the Meritorious Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, and Fred Hitchcock Award for Excellence in Aerospace Physiology and was the consultant in Aerospace Physiology to the USAF Surgeon General. A private ceremony was held at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery.