William Koster |
| Posted 2024-07-02 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald on Jun. 30, 2024 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - William Koster, a distinguished mechanical engineer, passed away leaving behind a legacy of innovation and adventure on June 13, 2024. Born on June 2, 1933, and raised on a ten-acre citrus grove in Arlington, California, William moved to Santa Monica during World War II. He attended Santa Monica College and graduated from University High in 1952. Shortly after, he honorably served in the US Army during the Korean conflict from March 1953 to March 1955, holding the rank of corporal. William's career in engineering was marked by significant contributions to the aerospace industry. He worked for both McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and Hughes Aircraft Co., dedicating seventeen years to Hughes Space and Communications before retiring in 1990. At Hughes, he was instrumental in mounting TV cameras on the Surveyor Spacecraft, which made the first soft landing on the moon. He was also a project engineer on Shuttle-launched spacecraft, carrier structures, and release mechanisms. Additionally, he played a role in designing the Pioneer Venus probe that impacted Venus in 1975. Before his time at Hughes, William worked at McDonnell Douglas Corp. on the Saturn and Thor programs, spending five years at Vandenberg AFB. He was later transferred to Long Beach, California, where he contributed as an interior design engineer on the DC-8, DC-9, and DC-10 aircraft. In the 1960s, William indulged his passion for speed by racing hydroplanes and later became involved in model boat racing. His love for building and flying R/C models led him to become a member of the "Desert Hawks" and co-found the Havasu Sport Flyers. He was also an avid computer enthusiast, drawing plans on AutoCAD and teaching the subject at MCC College for five years. William's personal interests were as diverse as his professional accomplishments. He was a devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous, maintaining his sobriety since September 14th, 1984. He also had a deep love for motorcycles, especially his Harley and Triumph. William leaves behind his granddaughter, Christina Duckworth, and his great-grandson, David. He is preceded in death by his brother Edwin Koster, daughter Lynn Duckworth, and his parents, Edwin and Bertie Koster. |
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