Mr. Hart

Don A. Hart Jr., 74, died Oct. 12, 2007, after a long bout with cancer.

He was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Alliance, Ohio, the eldest son of Don A. and Esther Downs Hart Sr.

The family moved to Austin in 1942, and Mr. Hart graduated from Austin High School in 1951.

An Eagle Scout at age 15, Mr. Hart spent summers at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, N.M., where he met his wife of 51 years, Joan Sitzberger Hart.

Mr. Hart graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1956 with a chemical engineering degree.

He worked for 33 years for the federal Civil Service, becoming director of the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB, Calif., and deputy director of the Air Force Space Technology Center at Kirkland AFB, N.M.

In addition, Mr. Hart worked as deputy director of space propulsion and power at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

He was a fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was twice selected as Meritorious Executive in the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service and was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Air Force Outstanding Career Service Award. He also received two Presidential Citations.

After retiring from Civil Service, Mr. Hart became a consultant.

He enjoyed bicycling, wine tasting, theater and keeping up with current events.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Mike and wife, Deanne, and their daughters, Courtney and Mikayla; daughter Beverly, and husband, Rod Inkster, and their daughters, Jaclyn and Lindsay; a son, Douglas; a brother, Larry Hart, and wife, Becky, of Lampasas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Hart.

The family requested memorials be made to The Wellness Community, 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597; Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523; or Alta Bates Summit Foundation, 2450 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94750.