Leo Arthur Corrigan

Leo Corrigan was born on July 17, 1921 in Lancaster, New Hampshire, the son of Arthur and Delia Corrigan. He had four brothers and two sisters who are all now deceased. He was married to Hilda Boyle of Dalton, New Hampshire in September 25, 1950. Together they had five children. Hilda died in July 1979. On February 16, 1980, Leo married Anne Cummings, who was a widow with one son. Together they have 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Dennis Corrigan is the oldest son with his wife, Sandy, in Troy, MI, and their sons, Michael and Mathew. Gail Corrigan is the oldest daughter with her husband Tony Wessendorff, of Houston, TX and son, Garrow. Daryl Buswell is the second daughter in Surprise, AZ with her sons, Roger and Patrick. Brent Corrigan is the second son with his wife Linda, in Littleton, CO, and their children, Brent, Blake, Kaci and Kimberly. Bruce Corrigan is the third son with his wife, Julie, in Bowling Green, OH, and their children, Megan, Craig, and Luke. Scott Cummings is a step-son with his wife, Wendy, in Hilton Head Island, SC, and their children, Rebekah, Tristan, Bryson, Grayson Anne, and Anika. Their four great grandchildren include Clahra, Lily, and Eliot Buswell and Cosette Corrigan. Leo Corrigan died peacefully on July 18, 2014 at the age of 93 and is survived by his wife, Anne, and all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leo Corrigan graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1939 and worked two years to earn enough to enroll in Indiana Technical College in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1943. He completed flight training in Biloxi, MS, in May 1944 and became a flying instructor. In November 1944, he was chosen for transition training in C-47 aircraft and was sent for service in the CBI (China Burma India) theater of operation. Leo first operated out of a base along the Ledo Road in Burma, carrying a Chinese Division to China. The biggest thrill was to transport 4 mules in a flight across the Himalayan Mountains ("The Hump") to China. They wouldn't stay put in the airplane but all survived. On his return to the US, he was discharged in March 1946. Leo then finished his engineering degree on the GI Bill at the University of NH and graduated summa cum laude in 1948. He began his career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. He was a design engineer for the development of gas turbine engines for the military services including the one-hundred series fighters, the B52 bomber, and several navy fighters. He became Manager of Design Analysis Services at the Florida Research Laboratory in 1957 and was involved in the development of the RL10 Rocket for the Atlas-Agena Rocket that places satellites into orbit and received several patents for his design work. Leo also helped supervise the development and design of the advanced technology turbojet for the SR71 spy plane, otherwise known as the "Blackbird". The Blackbird was a highly-classified assignment as chief engineer in a select group that created this unique engine that enabled the plane to fly at an altitude of 85,000 feet, covering the distance from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. in 1 hour and 8 minutes. The Blackbird remained our spy plane for some 25 years and is on display in the Smithsonian today. Leo was then transferred back to the East Hartford plant to lead advanced military and commercial applications which led to the design of the original engine for the Boeing 747 airplane. In 1946, Mr. Corrigan became the Engineering Manager at Detroit Diesel Allison, Division of General Motors in Indianapolis, IN. He lead engineering design teams in improving the T-56 turboprop engine, the TF-41 turbofan engine and various helicopter engines. He retired as the Chief Engineer in 1986. After retirement, Mr. Corrigan became a member of the Executive Service Corp and worked on various study assignments for the City of Indianapolis and several small businesses. He also helped to establish a science mentoring program for the Indianapolis Public School System. He led a group of individuals to mentor students during their preparation of science fair projects. Mentoring also included work with seniors in high school to help them prepare for post-graduate studies. Leo was also active in several other organizations including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Honorary (engineering) Society, Lauback Literacy Foundation as a teacher, and the Kiwanis Club of Speedway and Meridian Hills, in Indianapolis. He held several positions in the Kiwanis Clubs over a period of about 20 years, serving as treasurer and president, until age 90 when he moved to Bluffton, SC. In South Carolina, he was the devoted caretaker of his wife, Anne, until he died at age 93. A family memorial service was held on July 20, 2014 in Hilton Head, SC and a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Dalton Congregational Church, 770 Dalton Road, Dalton, NH 03598. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Leo A. Corrigan to the Kiwanis Club of Meridian Hills, c/o Mary Clemenz, 7537 Linden Court, Fishers, IN 46038. Memories and condolences to the family can be sent to Sauls Funeral Home, Bluffton, SC. www.saulsfh.com A family memorial service was held on July 20, 2014 in Hilton Head, SC and a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Dalton Congregational Church, 770 Dalton Road, Dalton, NH 03598.