Historical Photo of the Month - October 2006

Fletcher, Pickering, and Terhune
Photograph Number P-16338Bc

Charles Terhune, Jr., former Deputy Director of JPL, passed away on August 31, 2006 at the age of 90. Terhune came to JPL in 1971, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, and retired from JPL in 1983. He served as Acting Director of the Lab for several months in 1982, between directors Bruce Murray and Lew Allen.

The photo above, taken in February 1976, shows Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator; Dr. William Pickering, JPL Director; and Terhune. All three men had something in common, in addition to their roles at JPL and NASA -- they all earned degrees at Caltech. Fletcher in 1948; Pickering in 1932, 1933, and 1936; and Terhune in 1941. Pickering was also a member of the faculty when the other men attended Caltech.

An announcement about Terhune's death is available on the Daily Planet. (JPL internal access only.) For more information about Terhune, see the Archives online exhibit Faces of Leadership: The Directors of JPL or contact the JPL Archives. [Archival sources: Photo albums, photo index, press release 12/8/83, Director's exhibit.]

Past Photos of the Month
Thumbnail pages 1996-2002 | 2003+

Past Photos of the Month Subject Index