The memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Southern Pines United Methodist Church.
Mr. West was born to Faye Martin and Franklin E. West on April 7, 1922, in Oak Park, Ill. He grew up in Brookfield, Ill., and attended Purdue University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering in 1943. He immediately went to work supporting the war effort at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Newport News, Va. He worked there until 1960, during which time NACA became NASA. In 1960, he went to work for the Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Carderock, Md., until his retirement.
In 1973, Mr. West moved to the Sandhills area where he designed and built his house on Thagard’s Lake in Whispering Pines. While living in Whispering Pines, he was very active in local affairs, including volunteering for 27 years at the Moore County Regional Hospital, now FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. He was the volunteer of the year in 2006. He also worked to help get the Lincoln Park School on the National Register of Historic Places. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Southern Pines for 20 years, having served as chairman of the nominating committee.
Mr. West is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Michael, Judy, David, Lynn, and Jeffrey; and his grandchildren, Drew Skau, Erik Skau, and Carl West.
Powell Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.
