Gerald Edward Weinstein

Gerald "Jerry" passed peacefully on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.  Jerry was born September 10, 1928 in Troy, NY. After graduating from Troy High School, Troy,  NY in 1946 at age 17, Jerry enlisted in the US Navy where he rose to the rank of Electronic Technician 2/c.  He was later assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1948 and won a Fleet Appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, entering with the Class of 1953 in June 1949.  During First Class (senior) Year he was Fourth Battalion Commander, graduating 39th in his class of 923 in June 1953. Upon graduation Jerry entered the USAF as a 2nd Lt and was assigned to Sandia Base in Albuquerque, NM as a nuclear weapons officer working on various kinds of new-design weapons.  From there he attended the Air Force Institute of Technology in Wright-Patterson AFB, OH where he received his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.  He was then assigned to Holloman AFB, NM where he worked on the redesign and testing of the Navy-developed Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Falcon missiles, to fit the USAF requirements.  During that time he was on flying status testing the capabilities of redesign against various high altitude targets.  He flew past Mach-1 and Mach-2 many times while doing so in the F-104, F-100, F-102, F-106 aircraft.  He also had many hours in the B-47 and the B-57, design-testing new chaff countermeasures.  From there he was sent to the University of New Mexico to work toward a PhD EE where he completed all required course work, his dissertation, and his oral exams.   But when the Cuban Missile Crisis came about, with his missile experience, he was immediately transferred to the Defense Atomic Support Agency.  He was to complete his written exam at a later date, which never happened.   During this tour of duty he had many overseas Temporary Duty assignments.  After that tour he was assigned to the State Department Disarmament Program in Washington, DC.  Much work was accomplished with foreign military officers in design of electronic equipment to support the mission with much overseas testing in interesting places. From there he was assigned to Vandenberg AFB, CA where he headed the Missile Flight Control Division, controlling the flights and safety of over 200 launches per year on the Minuteman, Titan, Thor, Atlas, and other missiles for ballistic flight and for satellite insertion. His next assignment was at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM where he worked with the Chief Scientist on new laboratory programs including the design of new laser weapons systems. He retired from the USAF as a Lt. Col. in 1975 and took a position with The BDM Corporation in Albuquerque where he led many scientific programs, rising to the rank of Vice President, retiring from BDM in 1987.  For the next 5 years he had his own consulting business in the same field until he had a bout with cancer which convinced him to really retire this time. He was then appointed by the Governor of New Mexico to the NM State Parks Advisory Board.  After 8 years there, and an administration change, he was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico State Parks Foundation, chairing that Board for the next 8 years, and then becoming the Board Chairman Emeritus. Jerry and his family were members of the B’Nai Israel Synagogue and he served as a Board Member there for 14 years.    Jerry is survived by his beloved sweet wife Alice.  On June 7, 1953 Jerry married Alice (Minovitz), having celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary while at his USNA ’53 60th class reunion in Annapolis, MD.  In addition to his wife Alice, he is also survived by their three children, Michael (Bonnie), David (Candy), and Rick (Janet); their 8 grandchildren, Rachael Coulson (Chris), Former Capt. USAF, City Councilman Casey (Former Capt. USAF, Dr. Amanda), Amber Delgado (Capt. USAF Mack), Former Capt. USAF Curtis (Virpi), Katie (Josh), Brady, Natalie, Amanda (Ro), and three great-grandchildren, Maya, Nora and Emilia.  Jerry’s son Michael, his two sons, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law are all USAF Academy grads.  Jerry is pre-deceased by his parents Charles and Anna, and his brothers Leland, Burton, and Elliott. Jerry’s beloved dog is their Siberian Husky, Rex. Jerry and Alice greatly enjoyed their cabin cruiser, Bonnie Alice III, on Navajo Lake in NM for about 37 years and Jerry built a 16 foot sailboat which they sailed for about 5 years, later donating it to the Boy Scouts.  His other interests included fishing, hunting, and woodworking, sometimes skiing, and working in his shop in his garage, building furniture and other items. His most recent interests included many annual pleasure cruises with wife Alice to various Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and many Pacific and Asian ports.  Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 10:00 a.m., at Congregation  B’nai Israel, 4401 Indian School NE. Interment to follow at 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors.   In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Congregation B’nai Israel or a charity of your choice.