LISSAMAN, Peter
Peter Lissaman of Santa Fe, NM, died on March 11, 2012 from complications of thyroid cancer. He is survived by his wife, Gabrilla Hoeglund; sons: Nicholas (Sumanee), Geoffrey and
Jonathan of CA; stepdaughter, Kate Ellsworth; and granddaughter, Uma Grace Sen of Boston, MA; a sister, June Edgar of Durban, South Africa; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Peter was born on April 10, 1931 to Dorothy and Stuart Lissaman of Durban, South Africa. His father served in action with British forces in North Africa and Italy, and his earliest memories were closing the family home, and moving around SA with his mother and sister, staying with relatives during the war. The family returned home at the war's end, and Peter graduated from Natal University in 1952 and then attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge University, UK. While at Cambridge he studied mathematics, played rugby football, squash racquets, and rowed in college teams. He then studied at the California Institute of Technology, receiving a Ph.D. in aeronautics, and in 1990 was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in Design from Natal University.
On graduation he returned to London, UK where he worked for Bristol Aeroplane Co. and Handley Page Aircraft as part of the team designing the wing of the RAF nuclear bomber. Peter returned to California in 1958, receiving a faculty appointment at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, instructing naval aviators and astronaut candidates. He was proud of his classes and enjoyed stating that some of his students had "gone far- two went to the moon." Later he joined the aeronautics faculty at Caltech, specializing in wing design. He worked as a director of research for Northrop. In 1971 he was a founding VP at Aerovironment Inc., working on many innovative vehicles and concepts, including the Gossamer Condor, the first successful human powered airplane. He received the Kremer Prize from the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Longstreth Medal from the Franklin Society for his contributions to the Gossamer Condor and Albatross. At Aerovironment he made many contributions to wind energy, and solar and electric powered automobiles and aircraft. He spent 30 years working on research related to environmental issues including air quality, wind and hydropower and solar energy. He had many marine interests: developing surfboards and swimming devices, organizing conferences on sailboat design and as a member of the team that developed Stars and Stripes, the 12 meter racing yacht that restored the America's Cup to the U.S. The last years of his career were at USC as an adjunct professor. Peter and Gabrilla moved to Santa Fe after their home burned down in the California brush fires of 2002.
Peter was an enthusiastic tennis player, backcountry hiker and fly fisherman. He fished the Yellowstone waters for almost 50 years. He published more than 150 scientific papers ranging from pollution, wind energy, wing design to bird flight. A knowledgeable Shakespeare enthusiast, he enjoyed writing and published many short humorous memoirs of his experience in the aerospace industry in UK and US.
He loved family, children, dogs, the sea and sky, wind and wilderness, poetry and theater, and spent 35 years working professionally in the fuel saving and alternative energy projects that are finally coming to fruition. He left this world with grace and dignity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I met Peter at Art Center in 1990, He was the most influencial teacher I had ever had in my life. He helped me see the world and physics in a much clearer way. He made my life much better, ScottA
scott allen
Student
April 21, 2021
scott allen
Student
April 21, 2021
I worked for Peter at AeroVironment. He was a most charming and benevolent boss. Best Story: On the phone with Paul MacCready: "Paul--there's a bit of a problem here with this press release on the Gossamer. It states that the plane was flown by the son [Paul's son also flew the plane] of the father of human powered flight. Do you see the problem with the wording?' A few moments later, Peter and Paul are both laughing uncontrollably.
Pat Quinlan
May 9, 2012
I meet Mr. Lissaman at Art Center College of Design, CA where he broke down the methods of engineering to its basics for us, and in doing so he influenced many of us to reach new levels of design. He was always looking for a little of Leonardo da Vinci in each of us.
Rich Hart
April 4, 2012
March 20th, 2012
My condolences to the family.
Robert Armstrong (SA)
robert Armstrong
March 20, 2012
I MET PETER AT MICHAELHOUSE, A NATAL, S.A. HIGH SCHOOL., in 1945.
BRILLIANT LAD. OBTAINED AN ELSIE BALLOT SCHOLARSHIP TO CAMBRIDGE., WHERE I MET HIM AGAIN..OUR FRIENDSHIP SPANNED OVER 55 YEARS.
HIS LOSS IS DEVASTATING TO ALL OF US.
ROSEMARY AND I OFFER OUR HEART FELT CONDOLENCES TO GAY, AND ALL HIS RELATIVES. PAX VO BISCUM, POLO.
(HIS NICK NAME AT MICHAELHOUSE, BECAUSE HE OFTEN WORE POLO NECKED SHIRTS!)
IAN GRANT-WHYTE MA MD (cantab))
IAN GRANT-WHYTE
March 18, 2012
The phrase "scholar and a gentleman" really does apply to Peter. He explained the concept of lift to me in a way my flight instructors or college professors never could. He had rare insights into Leonardo da Vinci. He had the gift of making visitors feel as if they were the one person he really wanted to see that day.
Paul Ciotti
March 16, 2012
We will miss Peter greatly, his contribution to aviation was emmense.
Freddy To ( Royal Aeronautical Society Human Powered Flight Group,)
Freddy To
March 16, 2012
We were all blessed to have Peter in our world.
Catherine Downing
March 16, 2012
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