James Robert Jedlicka peacefully passed away on March 13, 2009, at his home in Freeland.

Jim was born at the family home in Libertyville, Ill. on Sept. 2, 1925 to James W. and Mildred Jedlicka.

He came from an extended family that worked in the building trades, and, like his father and brother, trained as a journeyman brick layer. He used this skill to put himself through college, earning three engineering degrees from Stanford University.

He subsequently worked for NASA for 25 years, quickly advancing to the position of senior research scientist, and at his retirement party was praised as “an engineer’s engineer.” His many achievements included several patents and recognition for his contributions to the Apollo program, which culminated in landing a man on the moon on July 20, 1969. But among his fondest memories was the time, as a young engineer at NACA (predecessor of NASA), he met and shook the hand of Charles Lindbergh.

Ever the engineer, he designed and built several houses, helped design and build an observatory near his home in California, and assisted in the building of his home in Freeland. But as impressive as were his numerous achievements, he was far more proud of, and will be remembered most dearly by, his family, many friends, and those he helped, mentored, and inspired during his life. Luckiest among these were the recipients of stories he wrote at Christmas time.

Jim is survived by his wife Linda, brother Jerry, daughters Robin, Lois, and Alexandra, daughter of his heart, Deborah, stepson David, and their families.

In accordance with Jim’s wishes, there will be no memorial service, but those wishing to remember him in a special way are invited to plant a tree in his memory. And as Jedlicka means “little fir tree” in the Czech language, a fir seedling would be especially appropriate. Ever the avid environmentalist, he’d be delighted if his passing contributed to the greening of our planet.