OBITUARY - Alan B. Wissinger, From The Wilton Bulletin, August, 2002
Alan B. Wissinger, Hubble Telescope optical engineer, community volunteer
Alan B. Wissinger of Collinswood Road, a retired optical systems engineer who helped develop components of the Hubble Telescope, a beekeeper and longtime Wiltonian who was very active in the community, died on Sunday, Aug. 4 at his home after a struggle with cancer. He was the husband of Carolyn Wissinger.
After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics, he earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. A retired optical systems engineer, Mr. Wissinger spent many years working for Perkin-Elmer in Danbury. He also worked for the Connecticut firms Sikorsky and Hughes electronics.
While at Perkin-Elmer, which he joined in 1959, he designed and developed astronomical telescopes, including a major portion of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency. Launched in 1990, Hubble is a space-based observatory designed to benefit astronomers around the world. astronomers consider it to be an indispensable tool for studying the universe. Successful in his chosen field, Mr. Wissinger held several patents for his work and was a member of the Optical society of America, the American Institute of Aeronautics and the American Society of Mechanical engineers. A published scientific author, he earned awards from his peers for papers. He regularly joined a group of other retired engineers from the area who worked on Hubble at monthly gatherings that take place at Ridgefield Pizza. Members of the group socialize and discuss the project which consumed so much of their professional lives. Other than missing the most recent July meeting, Mr. Wissinger was a regular, said his friend, Ronald Rigby of Ridgefield. "He was recognized for his work on the Hubble Telescope and everybody that worked with him enjoyed him and respected him as not only a good engineer but a good person," said Mr. Rigby, a fellow Perkin-Elmer retiree.
Besides his engineering work, Mr. Wissinger devoted many hours to serving the town of Wilton. A longtime member of the Wilton Town Association, he served as president of the group from 1974-75 and vice president before that. The Town Association was a group of prominent, civic-minded Wilton citizens who worked to improve Wilton's government and services. Mr. Wissinger was an advocate of citizen involvement in civic affairs. Over the years, he wrote many letters to The Bulletin encouraging people to pay attention and get involved in important issues.
[photo]
Likewise, he also advocated the town's involvement in regional affairs. In a 1976 letter, he pushed for the town to join the Southwest Regional Planning Agency (which it eventually did), stating that Wilton is "ill-served by projecting an image of exclusivity, becasue it is very easy to become a target. we have received many of the benefits of SWRPA without making any contribution whatsoever. It is time that Wilton assumes its share of responsibility and joins SWRPA."
Perhaps due to his scientific mind and technological knowledge, Mr. Wissinger seemed to have a prescient view of how people would communicate in the future. In a 1972 letter about a new Charter proposed for Wilton, he addressed the issue of voter participation and how to combat the lack of thereof. "Our town-0wide communication and decision-making equipment could be exotic enough to permit a 'Town Meeting of the Air' in the literal sense. By utilizing one of the public service channels the FCC has allocated, we could have a town meeting similar to the currently popular radio talk shows. (First Selectman Laurence I.) Graham addresses the town on a local FM-hookup and the speakers call in to the heard by all on the radio...Or, the deliberations of local boards could be broadcast...This would greatly increase the number of informed citizens, and in the comfort of their own homes, to boot." He even suggested devising a way that people could vote from home via a device that would transmit over a phone line to a central computer.
Mr. Wissinger was also active with, the Wilton Kiwanis Club and the Wilton Congregational Church. He helped design and develop the Church's Web site. In addition to his professional career, he enjoyed a number of hobbies, including piloting light planes, amateur radio, organic gardening and bee keeping. He was a member of the Backyard Beekeepers, a Fairfield County beekeeping club. Besides his wife, Carolyn, Mr. Wissinger is survived by his daughters, Jonna Wissinger of Brooklyn, N. Y., Catherine Davis of Evanston, Ill. and Elizabeth Wissinger of New York City, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Wilton Congregational Church on Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton 06897; or to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, Maple St., Norwalk 06856.
Alan B. Wissinger, Hubble Telescope optical engineer, community volunteer
Alan B. Wissinger of Collinswood Road, a retired optical systems engineer who helped develop components of the Hubble Telescope, a beekeeper and longtime Wiltonian who was very active in the community, died on Sunday, Aug. 4 at his home after a struggle with cancer. He was the husband of Carolyn Wissinger.
After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics, he earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. A retired optical systems engineer, Mr. Wissinger spent many years working for Perkin-Elmer in Danbury. He also worked for the Connecticut firms Sikorsky and Hughes electronics.
While at Perkin-Elmer, which he joined in 1959, he designed and developed astronomical telescopes, including a major portion of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency. Launched in 1990, Hubble is a space-based observatory designed to benefit astronomers around the world. astronomers consider it to be an indispensable tool for studying the universe. Successful in his chosen field, Mr. Wissinger held several patents for his work and was a member of the Optical society of America, the American Institute of Aeronautics and the American Society of Mechanical engineers. A published scientific author, he earned awards from his peers for papers. He regularly joined a group of other retired engineers from the area who worked on Hubble at monthly gatherings that take place at Ridgefield Pizza. Members of the group socialize and discuss the project which consumed so much of their professional lives. Other than missing the most recent July meeting, Mr. Wissinger was a regular, said his friend, Ronald Rigby of Ridgefield. "He was recognized for his work on the Hubble Telescope and everybody that worked with him enjoyed him and respected him as not only a good engineer but a good person," said Mr. Rigby, a fellow Perkin-Elmer retiree.
Besides his engineering work, Mr. Wissinger devoted many hours to serving the town of Wilton. A longtime member of the Wilton Town Association, he served as president of the group from 1974-75 and vice president before that. The Town Association was a group of prominent, civic-minded Wilton citizens who worked to improve Wilton's government and services. Mr. Wissinger was an advocate of citizen involvement in civic affairs. Over the years, he wrote many letters to The Bulletin encouraging people to pay attention and get involved in important issues.
[photo]
Likewise, he also advocated the town's involvement in regional affairs. In a 1976 letter, he pushed for the town to join the Southwest Regional Planning Agency (which it eventually did), stating that Wilton is "ill-served by projecting an image of exclusivity, becasue it is very easy to become a target. we have received many of the benefits of SWRPA without making any contribution whatsoever. It is time that Wilton assumes its share of responsibility and joins SWRPA."
Perhaps due to his scientific mind and technological knowledge, Mr. Wissinger seemed to have a prescient view of how people would communicate in the future. In a 1972 letter about a new Charter proposed for Wilton, he addressed the issue of voter participation and how to combat the lack of thereof. "Our town-0wide communication and decision-making equipment could be exotic enough to permit a 'Town Meeting of the Air' in the literal sense. By utilizing one of the public service channels the FCC has allocated, we could have a town meeting similar to the currently popular radio talk shows. (First Selectman Laurence I.) Graham addresses the town on a local FM-hookup and the speakers call in to the heard by all on the radio...Or, the deliberations of local boards could be broadcast...This would greatly increase the number of informed citizens, and in the comfort of their own homes, to boot." He even suggested devising a way that people could vote from home via a device that would transmit over a phone line to a central computer.
Mr. Wissinger was also active with, the Wilton Kiwanis Club and the Wilton Congregational Church. He helped design and develop the Church's Web site. In addition to his professional career, he enjoyed a number of hobbies, including piloting light planes, amateur radio, organic gardening and bee keeping. He was a member of the Backyard Beekeepers, a Fairfield County beekeeping club. Besides his wife, Carolyn, Mr. Wissinger is survived by his daughters, Jonna Wissinger of Brooklyn, N. Y., Catherine Davis of Evanston, Ill. and Elizabeth Wissinger of New York City, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Wilton Congregational Church on Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton 06897; or to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, Maple St., Norwalk 06856.
OBITUARY - Alan B. Wissinger, From The Wilton Bulletin, August, 2002
Alan B. Wissinger, Hubble Telescope optical engineer, community volunteer
Alan B. Wissinger of Collinswood Road, a retired optical systems engineer who helped develop components of the Hubble Telescope, a beekeeper and longtime Wiltonian who was very active in the community, died on Sunday, Aug. 4 at his home after a struggle with cancer. He was the husband of Carolyn Wissinger.
After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics, he earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. A retired optical systems engineer, Mr. Wissinger spent many years working for Perkin-Elmer in Danbury. He also worked for the Connecticut firms Sikorsky and Hughes electronics.
While at Perkin-Elmer, which he joined in 1959, he designed and developed astronomical telescopes, including a major portion of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency. Launched in 1990, Hubble is a space-based observatory designed to benefit astronomers around the world. astronomers consider it to be an indispensable tool for studying the universe. Successful in his chosen field, Mr. Wissinger held several patents for his work and was a member of the Optical society of America, the American Institute of Aeronautics and the American Society of Mechanical engineers. A published scientific author, he earned awards from his peers for papers. He regularly joined a group of other retired engineers from the area who worked on Hubble at monthly gatherings that take place at Ridgefield Pizza. Members of the group socialize and discuss the project which consumed so much of their professional lives. Other than missing the most recent July meeting, Mr. Wissinger was a regular, said his friend, Ronald Rigby of Ridgefield. "He was recognized for his work on the Hubble Telescope and everybody that worked with him enjoyed him and respected him as not only a good engineer but a good person," said Mr. Rigby, a fellow Perkin-Elmer retiree.
Besides his engineering work, Mr. Wissinger devoted many hours to serving the town of Wilton. A longtime member of the Wilton Town Association, he served as president of the group from 1974-75 and vice president before that. The Town Association was a group of prominent, civic-minded Wilton citizens who worked to improve Wilton's government and services. Mr. Wissinger was an advocate of citizen involvement in civic affairs. Over the years, he wrote many letters to The Bulletin encouraging people to pay attention and get involved in important issues.
[photo]
Likewise, he also advocated the town's involvement in regional affairs. In a 1976 letter, he pushed for the town to join the Southwest Regional Planning Agency (which it eventually did), stating that Wilton is "ill-served by projecting an image of exclusivity, becasue it is very easy to become a target. we have received many of the benefits of SWRPA without making any contribution whatsoever. It is time that Wilton assumes its share of responsibility and joins SWRPA."
Perhaps due to his scientific mind and technological knowledge, Mr. Wissinger seemed to have a prescient view of how people would communicate in the future. In a 1972 letter about a new Charter proposed for Wilton, he addressed the issue of voter participation and how to combat the lack of thereof. "Our town-0wide communication and decision-making equipment could be exotic enough to permit a 'Town Meeting of the Air' in the literal sense. By utilizing one of the public service channels the FCC has allocated, we could have a town meeting similar to the currently popular radio talk shows. (First Selectman Laurence I.) Graham addresses the town on a local FM-hookup and the speakers call in to the heard by all on the radio...Or, the deliberations of local boards could be broadcast...This would greatly increase the number of informed citizens, and in the comfort of their own homes, to boot." He even suggested devising a way that people could vote from home via a device that would transmit over a phone line to a central computer.
Mr. Wissinger was also active with, the Wilton Kiwanis Club and the Wilton Congregational Church. He helped design and develop the Church's Web site. In addition to his professional career, he enjoyed a number of hobbies, including piloting light planes, amateur radio, organic gardening and bee keeping. He was a member of the Backyard Beekeepers, a Fairfield County beekeeping club. Besides his wife, Carolyn, Mr. Wissinger is survived by his daughters, Jonna Wissinger of Brooklyn, N. Y., Catherine Davis of Evanston, Ill. and Elizabeth Wissinger of New York City, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Wilton Congregational Church on Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton 06897; or to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, Maple St., Norwalk 06856.
Alan B. Wissinger, Hubble Telescope optical engineer, community volunteer
Alan B. Wissinger of Collinswood Road, a retired optical systems engineer who helped develop components of the Hubble Telescope, a beekeeper and longtime Wiltonian who was very active in the community, died on Sunday, Aug. 4 at his home after a struggle with cancer. He was the husband of Carolyn Wissinger.
After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics, he earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. A retired optical systems engineer, Mr. Wissinger spent many years working for Perkin-Elmer in Danbury. He also worked for the Connecticut firms Sikorsky and Hughes electronics.
While at Perkin-Elmer, which he joined in 1959, he designed and developed astronomical telescopes, including a major portion of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency. Launched in 1990, Hubble is a space-based observatory designed to benefit astronomers around the world. astronomers consider it to be an indispensable tool for studying the universe. Successful in his chosen field, Mr. Wissinger held several patents for his work and was a member of the Optical society of America, the American Institute of Aeronautics and the American Society of Mechanical engineers. A published scientific author, he earned awards from his peers for papers. He regularly joined a group of other retired engineers from the area who worked on Hubble at monthly gatherings that take place at Ridgefield Pizza. Members of the group socialize and discuss the project which consumed so much of their professional lives. Other than missing the most recent July meeting, Mr. Wissinger was a regular, said his friend, Ronald Rigby of Ridgefield. "He was recognized for his work on the Hubble Telescope and everybody that worked with him enjoyed him and respected him as not only a good engineer but a good person," said Mr. Rigby, a fellow Perkin-Elmer retiree.
Besides his engineering work, Mr. Wissinger devoted many hours to serving the town of Wilton. A longtime member of the Wilton Town Association, he served as president of the group from 1974-75 and vice president before that. The Town Association was a group of prominent, civic-minded Wilton citizens who worked to improve Wilton's government and services. Mr. Wissinger was an advocate of citizen involvement in civic affairs. Over the years, he wrote many letters to The Bulletin encouraging people to pay attention and get involved in important issues.
[photo]
Likewise, he also advocated the town's involvement in regional affairs. In a 1976 letter, he pushed for the town to join the Southwest Regional Planning Agency (which it eventually did), stating that Wilton is "ill-served by projecting an image of exclusivity, becasue it is very easy to become a target. we have received many of the benefits of SWRPA without making any contribution whatsoever. It is time that Wilton assumes its share of responsibility and joins SWRPA."
Perhaps due to his scientific mind and technological knowledge, Mr. Wissinger seemed to have a prescient view of how people would communicate in the future. In a 1972 letter about a new Charter proposed for Wilton, he addressed the issue of voter participation and how to combat the lack of thereof. "Our town-0wide communication and decision-making equipment could be exotic enough to permit a 'Town Meeting of the Air' in the literal sense. By utilizing one of the public service channels the FCC has allocated, we could have a town meeting similar to the currently popular radio talk shows. (First Selectman Laurence I.) Graham addresses the town on a local FM-hookup and the speakers call in to the heard by all on the radio...Or, the deliberations of local boards could be broadcast...This would greatly increase the number of informed citizens, and in the comfort of their own homes, to boot." He even suggested devising a way that people could vote from home via a device that would transmit over a phone line to a central computer.
Mr. Wissinger was also active with, the Wilton Kiwanis Club and the Wilton Congregational Church. He helped design and develop the Church's Web site. In addition to his professional career, he enjoyed a number of hobbies, including piloting light planes, amateur radio, organic gardening and bee keeping. He was a member of the Backyard Beekeepers, a Fairfield County beekeeping club. Besides his wife, Carolyn, Mr. Wissinger is survived by his daughters, Jonna Wissinger of Brooklyn, N. Y., Catherine Davis of Evanston, Ill. and Elizabeth Wissinger of New York City, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Wilton Congregational Church on Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton 06897; or to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, Maple St., Norwalk 06856.
Gravesite Details
Cremation; No marker found. Flowers in location of grave.
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