Leland Jorgensen

Leland Howard Jorgensen

11/1/1924 – 12/4/2013

Peachtree City, GA

From the tumultuous World War II waters of the South Pacific to the serene reaches of outer space, Dr. Leland Howard Jorgensen has served his Nation, Family, and Church. Serving as an electronic technician's mate in the U.S. Navy, he was soon advanced to Lieutenant USNR. However his talents were spotted by NASA, and he became an aerospace research engineering scientist who helped create the space program.

Dr. Jorgensen, son of Leland Maeser and Anne Howard Jorgensen was born November 1, 1924, in Rexburg, Idaho, where both of his parents taught at Ricks College. He married Lynone (Lynne) Watkins on March 24, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. With degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from the University of Utah, Stanford University, and California Western, he worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and the NASA-Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California for over 30 years.

Dr. Jorgensen's involvement with the Apollo 11 moon-flight program made it possible for him to share in the first moon landing in 1969. Wind tunnel testing of models led to his ability to predict the critical lift to-drag ratios of the Apollo 11 command module after Apollo 11 completed its moon mission and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. He was also one of a six member committee that approved the predicted aerodynamics of the first space shuttle flight. Lee received the Apollo Achievement Award in 1969.

He pioneered experimental and theoretical research in very high angle-of -attack aerodynamics. The formulas and methodology published in his doctoral dissertation and other research papers have been published in advanced textbooks that are used worldwide. He received the Merit of Honor Award from the University of Utah Emeritus Alumni Association in 2003.

Dr. Jorgensen served The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a bishopric, in high councils, as a high priest group leader, several times as a stake mission president, and in the Northern California Mission Presidency. He served his community when he was elected to the Saratoga California School board, as president of the Eagle Scout Association in Santa Clara County, California, and as president of the Utah Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and in other positions in neighborhood and fraternal service organizations. He served as a guide on Temple Square and as a docent in the Museum of Church History and Art.

He resided in Salt Lake City, Utah for many years.  He and his wife, Lynne moved to Peach Tree City, Georgia where he passed away on December 4, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne Watkins Jorgensen, his sons Leland Ronald Jorgensen, Paul Victor Jorgensen, Jonathan Arthur Jorgensen, and his daughter Sara Anne Jorgensen Parker and eleven grandchildren. His grandson Michael Jorgensen preceded him in death.

His funeral will be held Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Park 12th Ward, 2795 East Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to the funeral family and friends may gather from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.  Interment Provo City Cemetery.

FUNERAL SERVICES