Disher, John H.

John Howard Disher was born in Olmstead, North Dakota on December 23, 1921. He earned a B.S. of science in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota in 1943. Disher joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, a predecessor of NASA. In 1951, Disher was named head of Free Flight Research Section. NASA appointed Disher Project Engineer of the task group formed to oversee the Mercury Program. In 1960 he was named Head of Advanced Manned Missions and became Assistant Director for Apollo Spacecraft Development. In 1974 he became the Director of Advanced Programs, Manned Space Flight and held this post until his retirement from NASA in 1980. After his retirement from NASA, he became an aerospace consultant and formed his own company, Avanti Systems. From 1986 until his death in 1988, Disher served on the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines Advisory Council. John Howard Disher died in Bethesda, Maryland on August 27, 1988. He was survived by his sons, James and John Thomas, and by his wife, Lillian Helen Rusnak Disher, whom he married in Cleveland, Ohio on April 9, 1948.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48872412

After his retirement from NASA, he became an aerospace consultant and formed his own company, Avanti Systems. Avanti Systems' clients included the Italian government, Boeing Aerospace, and the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment. From 1986 until his death in 1988, Disher served on the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines Advisory Council. He was a member of the International Academy of Astronauts and a fellow of the British Interplanetary Society.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. Series III. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48879112

NASA was formed in 1958. The following year, NASA appointed Disher Project Engineer of the task group formed to oversee the Mercury Program, which launched the first American astronauts into space. He served in this capacity at the Langley Research Center in Virginia until 1960, when he was named Head of Advanced Manned Missions and relocated to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1961, he became Assistant Director for Apollo Spacecraft Development for the Spacecraft and Flight Missions Office. From 1963 to 1965, he was the Director of the Apollo Test for the Apollo Program Office. He was appointed Deputy Director of Skylab in 1965 and played an important role in the development of that program. In 1974 he became the Director of Advanced Programs, Manned Space Flight and held this post until his retirement from NASA in 1980.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. Series II. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48879103

John Howard Disher was born in Olmstead, North Dakota on December 23, 1921. He earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1943. Following his graduation from UND, Disher joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, a predecessor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. He worked as a NACA aeronautical research analyst in the Flight Propulsion Laboratory, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1951, Disher was named head of Free Flight Research Section. This group tested the first hypersonic flight of a solid rocket, and the first flight of a high energy fueled vehicle.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. Series I. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48872431

John Disher was a North Dakota born graduate in Engineering at the University of North Dakota and became a well know aeronautics expert. He worked for NASA, developed his own company, Avanti Systems and was contributed greatly to the work of the University of North Dakota School of Engineering.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. Series IV. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48879122

John Disher was a native North Dakotan who received an Engineering degree from the University of North Dakota and went on to become a world famous aeronautics expert. NASA appointed Disher Project Engineer of the task group formed to oversee the Mercury Program, which launched the first American astronauts into space. He served in this capacity at the Langley Research Center in Virginia until 1960, when he was named Head of Advanced Manned Missions and relocated to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1961, he became Assistant Director for Apollo Spacecraft Development for the Spacecraft and Flight Missions Office. From 1963 to 1965,he was the Director of the Apollo Test for the Apollo Program Office. He was appointed Deputy Director of Skylab in 1965 and played an important role in the development of that program. In 1974 he became the Director of Advanced Programs, Manned Space Flight and held this post until his retirement from NASA in 1980.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1993. Series V. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48879148