Randall, Roger F.

Roger F. Randall, 74, of Coralville, died Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Hospice Family Care, Prescott, Ariz., after losing a brave and courageous battle with an unexpected terminal illness. A Memorial Service to celebrate Roger's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville. The family will greet friends for a light reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Mercy Hospice of Iowa City.

Roger Randall was born Feb. 4, 1937, in Toledo, Iowa, to Floyd and Luella Head Randall. He graduated from Toledo High School in 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Active Reserve in 1954 and served with the Cedar Rapids, Iowa unit until 1958 at which time he then served two years in the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA). Roger was a member of Walter Johnson American Legion Post 721, Coralville, Iowa. Following his military service, he attended college at the University of Iowa and the University of Wyoming, where he received his bachelor and master degrees in electrical engineering. He was employed for 31 years with the University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy where he was a research engineer in space physics. He worked on many well-known NASA projects. From 1969 to 1974, he was principal engineer for the Geiger Tube Telescope experiment flown on the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft, and from 1974 to 1976 he was project manager of the Plasma Wave Instrument flown aboard Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. He also played a major roll in four spacecraft (Injun IV, Injun V, Hawkeye and PDP) that were designed and fabricated at the University of Iowa. His contributions to these projects extended across a broad spectrum of engineering activities, from detailed design of spacecraft electrical systems to project management. For his efforts he was presented with many NASA Group Achievement Awards which include the following missions: Pioneer 10 and 11, Voyager 1 and 2, Geotail, Polar, Cluster and Cassini. He was involved with 18 NASA spaceflight programs and received recognition for outstanding support as a member of the first team to investigate Saturn. In 1989, Roger received the University of Iowa Staff Achievement Award for Extrameritorious Service to both University and Community. He retired from the Department of Physics and Astronomy in February 1994.

On Sept. 1, 1972, he was married to Patricia Ann Kurtz in Iowa City. After their retirement they traveled frequently with their RV to visit family and friends. One of his greatest joys was during the summer months when they would spend several weeks visiting grandchildren who lived in other states. Camping with them became an annual event for many years. Winters were generally spent in the southwest.

Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Trujillo of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jill Kauffman of Joplin, Mo.; an adopted daughter, Jill V. Randall, of Iowa City; three stepdaughters, Maureen Recknor of Iowa City, Colleen Kudwa of Crystal Falls, Mich., and Kathleen Duttlinger of Atalissa; three stepsons, Michael Recknor of Henderson, Ky., Dennis Recknor of Plymouth, Minn., and Kevin Recknor of Iowa City; and one sister, Shirley Bowers of Nixa, Mo.

He had 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

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