Harry W. Gobler
1938-2020
Harry's tenure wtih NASA-Ames Research Center was the highlight of his professional career. Not only was the work exciting and constantly challenging - he often spoke about how wonderful it was to work with so many talented, energetic young people. The "old guy" on site, Harry felt his most important role was to guide and shelter his team from the many inevitable administrative and bureaucratic distractions on these types of projects so that they could focus on being brilliant and successful in their jobs.
Harry Gobler, A Man Who Made A Difference, 1938-2020
Office of the Center Director
It is with great sadness I share with you that on Oct. 1, beloved Harry Gobler passed away. We are grateful for his contributions to Ames and will forever remember his legacy. Below is a beautiful tribute written by Michael Ospring remembering the life of this incredible man.
Harry came to Ames as an accomplished civil engineer in 1983 to work on the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic facility. Having previously been a designer at the city of Los Angeles, he had created bridges and other structures and subsequently developed an expertise in earthquake safety. Harry went on the work at Ecodyne, engineering new designs of concrete natural draft cooling towers. He proceeded on to do foundation designs for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex, or NFAC, facility while working at Sverdrup and Parcel & Associates.
When Harry arrived at Ames, he was immediately cast into the role of engineering lead for the NFAC design that included the new 80-by-120-foot wind tunnel. After successfully leading the NFAC through the integrated system testing, he moved on to become the deputy project manager for the 12-foot modernization project. This project was particularly tight on funding and Harry guided it through a major bid bust that resulted in a successful redesign using in-house resources.
Harry then moved immediately onto the Unitary Modernization project as deputy project manager, where his depth of experience and technical expertise were tested to the limit on critical contracts that included the main drive motor rewind and the new 11-foot test section flexible walls.
Ultimately, Harry finished out his career on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, aircraft, directing the cavity door team to a successful design and fabrication of the assemblies that both expose and protect the telescope.
Harry received multiple awards during his career at NASA, including a Presidential Rank Award - Outstanding Leadership Medal. The award that he was most proud of was the Ames Honor Award for Excellence as a Mentor. Harry personally mentored multiple individuals who went on to have distinguished careers at NASA.
Harry ultimately left Ames in 2004 and became a volunteer docent at the Railroad Museum in Sacramento, eventually designing the new wheelhouse turntable that stands to this day. Everyone who ever worked for or alongside Harry will testify to his integrity, honesty, humility, and willingness to elevate everyone around him.
Oh yes, one more thing. He could really play baseball.
Godspeed Harry.
Carol Carroll
Deputy Center Director
I’m so glad Harry chose to work at NASA, and particularly with me! He was a giant in my life.
Mike O.
Harry supported me through some difficult challenges through his encouragement, his coaching, his affirmative management style, his transparency, his honesty and integrity and his self-effacing sense of humor.
Geoff L.
Harry was a wonderful friend and a phenomenal colleague. My life was definitely enhanced and I became a more competent engineer by having had the privilege of knowing Harry.
Dan B.
Harry epitomized the kind of engineer and manager that I want to be when I grow up.
Bill P.
Harry made the world better in so many ways, guiding and influencing and supporting in his kind way.
Laura D.
I'm going to miss his humor and goodness.
Dolores S.
I have nothing but praise for Harry at the way he helped manage the project from start to finish. Lots of challenges and bumps along the way, but he did a lot of things “behind the scenes” to help us get things accomplished to the best of our abilities and shield us from the hectic management politics. I thank him for his devoted dedication and support to the people he worked with.
David Y.
Article in Space News Roundup, December 2, 1994
Article in Space News Roundup, September 1, 1995
Staying in Touch Post-Retirement
In addition to taking NASA colleagues on tours of the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento History Museum, and the California Automobile Museum, Harry stayed in touch with Dan, Dan, Mike, and others at occasional breakfast meetings in Martinez (about mid-way between Sacramento and Mountain View).
