Dr. Thomas Edwin Noll, of Williamsburg, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, following a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 69.
He was raised in the Cincinnati area and attended McNicholas High School. He earned his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and worked at the Flight Dynamics Lab at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio for the next 20 years. While there, he helped established joint aerospace programs with allied countries and taught graduate engineering classes at the University of Dayton. He went on to earn his Master’s from Ohio State and PhD from the University of Dayton in Aerospace Engineering.
Dr. Noll dreamed of working for NASA; in 1987, his wish was granted when he began working at NASA Langley Research Center. He continued working on international programs including contributions to the NATO Research and Technology Organization and The Technical Cooperation Program.
He was instrumental in reestablishing the NASA Engineering Technician Co-op/Apprentice Program and ultimately achieved the level of Senior Executive Service, retiring as the Deputy Director of the Systems Engineering Directorate. After retirement he joined Analytical Services and Materials, Inc. of Hampton as Vice President working as a liaison to NASA.
Dr. Noll was an avid outdoorsman and he especially enjoyed his many family camping trips across the United States and Canada. He loved fishing, birding and hiking and had a keen interest in history and woodworking. He also had a fondness for athletics, which began with high school football and continued with his participation in basketball, softball and volleyball leagues throughout his life. He enjoyed coaching youth soccer and baseball and was active in the Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Noll was born Aug. 31, 1944, and was preceded in death by his father, Edwin J. Noll and mother, Dorothy Medosch Noll.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Marianne Glaug Noll; sons, Dr. Christopher T. Noll of Cincinnati and Jeffrey A. Noll, of Poquoson; brother, James J. Noll, of Batavia, Ohio; and sisters, Donna Noll Cox, of Alexandria, Ky. and Carla Noll Miles, of Batavia, Ohio.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan, 13, 2014, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
To send condolences please visit www.nelsencares.com.
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