The founder and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc., Paul MacCready was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1925, and passed away on August 28, 2007 as a result of advanced melanoma. A public memorial to honor Dr. MacCready was held on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the California Institute of Technology. Hundreds of people gathered to remember his life and numerous contributions.
This page serves as a lasting tribute to Dr. MacCready, and a place for people to share their thoughts about him and read what others have written.
May be the biggest pioneer in aerodynamics of our era.
Non-standard aproach to all in his activity, starting from his flights, when he was and a glider pilot. He was successful where others tried but could not do nothing....
It is a talent.
Remembering Dr. MacCready...
Candace Pearson Ramirez
What a shock it is to learn of Dr. MacCready's passing. I had the pleasure of working for him in the absence of his assistant on several occasions during my first 3 years at AV. To this day, there are times when I've thought of him and chuckled to myself about how much trouble he had using the phone system...it really seemed to puzzle him. Mostly, I got to see his brilliant mind at work while typing his white papers for him. And when I saw him sitting on the couch in his office, staring into space with a notepad on his lap and pen in hand, I knew he was thinking up something amazing. What a great loss this is for his family, AV, and the world at large. My condolences to all.
Mr. MacCready was a role model to me....
Lorna R. Contreras
Hello my name is Lorna R. Contreras. My father has been an employee of Aerovironment for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in my fathers work and the part his company plays in our world today. I was 14 when at Aerovironments 10th anniversary party came to be. There I got to meet Mr MacCready. It was at the air and space museum. I had asked about the Sunracer and was in wonder. Mr. MacCready explained a little bit about how it was designed and developed. In that year a depression had come over my life and I was acting out in school and not getting good grades like I had done in years before. That day that I talked to Mr. MacCready I asked him why he never gave up. He told me that he couldn't, that I should never give up either. He couldn't give up because God had better plans for him. Through out the years after that, what he said stuck with me. I have always wanted to thank him but never had the chance. So here it goes.... Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Your words and what you have done not only for me but for the world is much appreciated and you will be dearly missed.
You Know when you've met someone Truly Great
Leif Storm Kaldor Zoot Capri Entertainment
Like others leaving messages I just found out about Dr. MacCready's passing now, months later, and the time delay doesn't lessen the impact of loss.
I was fortunate enough to interview Paul several times for a project on creativity, meeting at his house and office, going through his models and diagrams for many of his projects. But it was his compassionate nature that truly stood out and his passion for learning. At his home, for no reason really, he showed me how he took a paddle and made a whirpool in his swimming pool to explain to kids that the black spot on the pool is where the light has been bent away by the water. He strapped a mini-camera on a remote car to chase a skunk from under his home.
His accomplishments were great and he was brilliant, but more than that it was impossible to meet Paul MacCready and not be affected by him humble nature, his quiet manner, and his desire to make the planet a better place.
The world is just a little bit lesser.
Remembering Paul Maccready
Bill Murrell
I first met Paul about 15 years ago, maybe longer, when we were both members of the Adventurers' Club in Los Angeles. Paul was always willing to talk about the things he was interested in and a very approachable guy.
Thanks for being a person I could admire.
Bill Murrell
I will always remember the AV work experience
Casey Carter (Employee #40) Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems
To Paul and all the past employees Ivar, Peter, Sara, Doug, Pat and others for my time at AV were outstanding under the leadership of Paul McCready. My brief stay at AeroVironment was one of my most insightful times into true scientific minds of our time. Although I didn't work as close as others did to Paul, what was astounding is a conversation about almost anything was never concluded. Paul would come back a day, week or year later and pick up the conversation right where he left off. An amazing time in my life and I often wonder what it would have been like to still be working for my first great company. Paul thank you for seeing my creativity in a way others did not. Paul your creativity and individuality will always be remembered, I will miss your innovation, Casey, employee number 40.
tribute
Rahul Sapre
I first came across this brilliant man on National Geographic channel where he was flying a ornithopter.
The deisgn amazed me.
He was the guy who could build rubberband powered planes to UAVs.
A brilliant and inspirational man
Colette Broadway Thales
I worked for AeroVironment in the early 80's and remember the company, the creativity, Dr. MacCready and my co-workers with a fondness that has been surpassed by no other. My condolences to his family, friends and associates.
Inspirational Daydreamer
John McCutchan Symmetry Electronics
Paul devoted his life to developing more efficient transportation vehicles that could "Do more with less" ~ I will always remember him for his radio-controlled replica of a prehistoric pterodactyl, the largest creature that ever took to the air.
To an Inspirational Daydreamer
Death is not the end.
Death can never be the end.
Death is the road.
Life is the traveler.
The soul is the guide.
God Speed Paul.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Patrick Egan RCAPA
I was fortunate enough to share some time with Dr. MacCready, his love of flight was truly contagious.
He was an example for us all
Martijn Deibel
He was an inspiration for me and many others around the world. A big loss for the world he tried to improve!
With greatest respect
Scott Nelson
Sad to learn of Paul's passing. I have so enjoyed his creations and inspiring creativity over the years.
Thank you Paul.
Inspiration
Stephen Eaves
Paul, when I was near giving up on publishing a paper on renewable energy, you reached out and provided me, a stranger to you, with the inspiration to continue. I can not imagine how many others that you motivated in a similar way. Your spirit lives on.
Heartfelt Condolences
Shawn Theiss Theiss Aviation, Inc.
We were not aware of Paul's passing last August; what a shock! Though our companies are competitors in the UAV industry, we are all joined together in the pursuit of furthering aviation and flight. Our deepest condolences to the MacCready family for your loss. May Paul's legacy live on through you and through Aerovironment.
God Speed Paul B. MacCready
Keith Ray Watts Skip Barber Racing
Hello all. Skip Barber has been a very serious racing organization for over 30 years. At every race weekend, we dedicate a race to somebody famous who has moved on. I supervise these races as an aviator and named the weekend memorial race after Paul B. MacCready. I entered the race and won it from last place 20th. and I wanted to dedicate this race to this wonderful man. God Bless you Paul, Keith R. Watts
