November 24, 1925 ~ February 11, 2001
Resided in:
Manhattan Beach, CA
David W. Whitcombe died February 11, 2001 at age 75 after a brief but intense battle with cancer. He grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and received B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics from the University of Michigan. Dave began his professional career as a mathematician and physicist in 1948 at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He married Josephine Morgan in 1951. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Los Angeles and lived in Manhattan Beach for over 48 years where they raised four children and enjoyed the births of 10 grandchildren. He had a long and distinguished career in the aerospace industry in the Los Angeles area. He started with Northrop and later worked for Ramo Woolrige, Space Technology Laboratories and Aerospace Corporation. Dave retired from Aerospace in 1991. His special field of expertise was missile guidance systems. Outside his work, Dave devoted much of his time to exploration of field theory that underlies understanding of the physical universe. A few months short of 50 years of marriage, David is survived by his wife, Josephine, their children and spouses: Robert and Julie Whitcombe of Portland, Oregon and their daughter Amy; John and Kim Whitcombe of Palos Verdes and their four children (Douglas, Steve, Wendy and Sarah); Kathy and Jim Sliff of Hermosa Beach and their three children (Mike, Morgan and David); and Mike and Rene Whitcombe of Manhattan Beach and their two children (Alexandra and Sydney). Dave is also survived by his brother, John and his wife Julia and by Josephine's brother Robert and his wife Betty. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 15, 2001 at the White & Day Colonial Mortuary in Redondo Beach. Burial will be private at Pacific Crest Cemetery, Redondo Beach. En lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Trinity Care HOSPICE or a charity of choice.
Guestbook
I was saddened to hear about the passing of David. I met David as a fellow employee of Aerospace some 30 years ago and it was a pleasure to have known him. He was a wonderful person and an outstanding mathematician/engineer. He made great contributions in the field of guidance and control. His writings in that field were pioneering and of great use to many in the industry. His family should be very proud of his accomplishments. My sincere condolences to all the family. Sincerely, Bob Constant