WILLIAM J. HAUCK

April 20, 1924 – September 25, 2022

William J. Hauck died peacefully on September 25, 2022, in Redding, CT.  He was 98.  Born in New York City on April 20, 1924, he lived in Richmond Hill, Queens until the age of 17, when he graduated from Richmond Hill High School.  That summer his father, a retired sea captain, moved the family to Seward, AK, where he became the Harbormaster.  Bill attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks for two years, studying civil engineering.  In 1943, he was called to serve in the Army Air Force and was stationed at Ladd Field Air Base in Fairbanks until the end of World War 2.  After his discharge in 1945, he returned to the east coast to attend Princeton University, where he received a BSE in Civil Engineering in 1948, graduating summa cum laude , and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.  Upon graduation, he accepted a position with the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (later Grumman Aerospace Corporation), in Bethpage, New York, where he worked for the next 40 years of his life.  During his career, he contributed to the design and engineering of many notable projects including the F9F Cougar, the first Gulfstream corporate jet, the A6A Intruder, the E-2 Hawkeye, and the F-14 Tomcat.  A humble man by nature, he was most proud of his ten-year involvement with the Lunar Module program and especially the time he spent in the Mission Support Room during each of the Apollo missions.

Bill was an avid reader on subjects ranging from science to theology and had a keen interest in the stewardship of our planet and its natural resources.  Living in Alaska had a profound effect on him, as he discovered the natural beauty of the Alaskan landscape while hiking, ice fishing, and birdwatching.  He carried this passion for the natural world through life and loved taking long walks and exploring this country's national parks.  He remained active through his final years, cherishing his Wednesday night volleyball games, Saturday morning tennis matches, traveling the world, attending Princeton athletic events with his son Neil, and simply spending time with his family.

He is survived by his son Neil Hauck (Ann), of Fairfield, Connecticut, his granddaughter Megan Hauck, of Washington, DC, his grandson Peter Hauck (Wesley), of Fairfax, VA, identical twin great-granddaughters Sloane and Violet Hauck, and his sister Marilyn J. Hauck, of Bridgeport, CT.  He is also survived by his stepson Roy Baillard, of Wading River, NY, and stepdaughters Nancy Stebe (George), of Suffolk, VA, and Linda Governanti (Gary), of Lindenhurst, NY.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Ingrid Helmers, who died unexpectedly just two years after they were married, and his second wife of 25 years, Audrey Groeppler.

Funeral arrangements will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 'Astronomy Program' at the New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding, CT 06896.

To offer online condolences please visit: www.boutonfuneralhome.com