Rosendo Naranjo

Rosendo ?Rudy? Naranjo, 71, passed peacefully on Saturday, November 19, 2011. Rudy came to the United States in 1962 from Cali, Colombia to attend college and pursue a career in engineering. After arriving in the US, he served in the Navy and attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, Rudy began a successful career in aerospace and communications, managing high-profile programs within the Department of Defense, NASA and the private sector. His work eventually brought him to Washington, DC in 1978 where he began work at NASA headquarters and stayed until his retirement in 2001. While at NASA, Rudy managed projects specifically related to the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs. He travelled extensively and spoke to groups and the media about the programs? importance in the global community. After retiring, Rudy continued to serve as a space program expert in the Hispanic community both in the US and South America. He shared his passion for the space program, and its influence on the then budding telecommunications field, as a technical consultant and guest lecturer for universities and multilateral organizations. Rudy spent the early part of his retirement in Miami, FL before returning to DC in 2008 to be closer to his children and grandchildren, but returned frequently to his native Colombia to visit friends and family. Rudy will be remembered for his love of aviation, photography, and languages and his ability to fix everything from simple home repairs to car engines. He is survived by his children Rosendo William ?Rudy? Naranjo and Julie Naranjo Upham Chris and their mother Corrinne Russ Naranjo; his grandchildren Alicia Naranjo and Daniel Upham; his brothers Jorge Naranjo, Juan Naranjo, Luis Naranjo, and Gonzalo Zafra; his sister Rosa Naranjo; and numerous nieces and nephews in the US and in Colombia. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brothers, Alfredo and Hernando.A visitation will be held at Cunningham Funeral Home in Old Town Alexandria on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 6-9 PM. A Life Celebration Service will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rudy’s memory to Capital Caring Hospice, 4715 15th Street North Arlington, VA 22205 www.capitalcaring.org.