Christian Hauff Jr.

  Christian Hauff Jr. of Huntsville, AL passed away peacefully, in his sleep, early on the morning of Friday May 1st, 2020, after a courageous and protracted battle with cancer. He was 82 years old. Born in Nashville, TN on January 24th, 1938 he was the first child of Ruth Fudge and Christian Hauff. His only sibling, Frances Hall, with whom he maintained a strong bond, lives in Shelbyville, KY.

  He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen, who was by his side until the very end. Five children: Lisa Joy Hauff, Christian Hauff III, Tiffany Ruth Pollard (Danny), Jessica Marie Hauff (Rafa) and Niels Morris Hauff (Samantha). Five grandchildren: Parker Branum, Caitlin Branum Anderson, Maia Vidaurreta, Henry Davis Hauff and Miles Christian Hauff. And three great-grandchildren: Alyssa Branum, Ava Branum and Charlie Anderson. A veteran of the United States Navy, Christian graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Following a brief stint with the National Security Agency, he began working for the newly formed NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In a career that spanned decades, he worked on many of the programs that eventually defined America’s pre-eminence in human spaceflight. Including Apollo, Spacelab (in cooperation with the European Space Agency) and the space Shuttle. An avid world traveler, he experienced many places in his long life, encountered diverse cultures and was kind to people from every walk of life. He had a unique ability to form lasting and meaningful friendships with everyone he met. He seemed blind to any barriers of race, religion, politics or socio-economic status.

  As a former Naval Officer, he’s been given the honor of an official ‘burial at sea’, the time and place for which is to be determined. His many friends and loyal family members will at some later date organize an appropriate venue for everyone to gather to celebrate his remarkable life. In the meantime, and in his generous spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers and gifts, those who loved him would remember him by making donations in his name to Manna House or Caring for Life (Hospice). May he rest in peace.

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