Richard S. "Sam" Baty

Richard S. "Sam" Baty passed away on February 25, 2017. Sam served as a U.S. Air Force Officer from 1960 until the final months of 1982. His assignments included the Tactical Air Command (TAC), the Strategic Air Command (SAC), Secretary of the Air Force special Projects, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) Program, the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Air Force Studies and Analyses, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He was also a Chief Scientist of an operating unit of TRW, Inc. In this capacity, he was noted for his computer modeling of threat missile systems. Sam served as an Adjunct Professor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) where he taught 21 different courses in the areas of aerodynamics, space, math, business, and engineering. He received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, an MS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a PhD in Control Systems Engineering from UCLA under the sponsorship of the Air Force. He has published numerous technical reports and has been interviewed in prestigious journals such as Aviation Weekly and Space Technology. He was also committee chairman on a number of graduate research projects at ERAU. On the side, Sam authored a series of four historical thrillers covering WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. A fifth book unrelated to this series is in publication at this time. Sam was also a member of the SAR.
Sam is survived by his wife, Linda; his sister, Sue Fickel; niece, Kathy Tomlinson; nephew, Kevin Fickel (Lisa); a great-niece, Amanda Tomlinson; and great-nephews, Trevor Fickel (Liz) and Tyler Fickel.
The family is most grateful for the remarkable care given to Sam by Legacy Home Health Care and Hospice. The top-notch teams included Davery Gallegos (Hospice Nurse), Karie Shake (Home Health Care Nurse), Roland Moore (PT), Deb Gibson (OT), Betty Schmidt (ST), Marie Calix-Garcia (Bather), and Arturo Candelas. We also wish to thank the Visiting Angels for their wonderful help.
A Reception and Prayer Service will be held Sunday, March 5, 2017, 1:30 p.m., at FRENCH - Lomas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.



FRENCH - Lomas
10500 Lomas Blvd. NE
(505) 275-3500