Alan Reed Wiechman

Alan Reed Wiechman passed away peacefully at home on November 13, 2023. Beloved husband of Donna Juanita Wiechman. Dear father of Megan (Dustin) Bailey and Ryan (Katie) Wiechman. Treasured grandfather of Rivers Bailey and Luke and Nora Wiechman. Loving son of the late Laddie and Anita Wiechman. Cherished brother to Linda (Joe) Sanders, Gail (Glen) Maijala, and Christy (Richard) Livingston. Dear cousin, uncle, and friend to many. Alan was born on January 18, 1949 in La Jolla, California. Alan grew up on a farm in Tulare, California and graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1967. He continued his education at both College of the Sequoias and California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo, receiving an Electrical Engineering degree in 1972. Alan grew up loving the outdoors. Hunting and fishing was a big part of his life. He famously interviewed with the McDonnell Douglas team by simply stating “I like to hunt, fish, and work hard”, and was offered the job. This is a passion he enjoyed with his wife Donna throughout their marriage including trips to Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and his farm in Pershing, MO. Alan enjoyed sharing this passion with his two kids and watching them grow to also love and appreciate the outdoors. Alan dedicated his life to God, country, and family. In his personal life, he was a true patriarch of his family. He was passionate and endearing, and determined to support his family in any way possible. Through fun, serious, or hard times, Alan enjoyed his life to the fullest and led both his family and teams in his professional career by leading head first. Alan cherished the relationships he made throughout his life. Those closest to him knew a fun-loving jokester, always looking for ways to bring joy through humor, even if at the expense of Donna. “A hard time is better than no time” was the continued phrase he’d use after poking fun at someone, and only half the people truly understood what it meant. The phrase had tailored meanings for both work and personal life and exemplified the man Alan embodied. No matter the person’s background, Alan would relate and take interest in their life and passions so he could better connect and help them in ways that mattered the most to that person. Alan’s professional career consisted of 51 years in the Aerospace and Defense industry, specializing in multiple stealth facets. He began his career at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, supporting the HAVE BLUE, Sea Shadow, and F-117 Nighthawk. While working for Lockheed, Alan met his wife, Donna, to whom he was married for 42 years from February 28th 1981 until his passing. After being selected by McDonnell Douglas to help establish its version of Skunk Works, which would later be known as Phantom Works, in 1981 Alan and Donna moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There Alan continued his professional career in Boeing’s Phantom Works becoming the Vice President of Special Technology Innovation. During his McDonnell Douglas/Boeing tenure Alan contributed to many efforts including the F-15, F-18E/F, F-23, X-45, X-36, the Boeing Bird of Prey, and other classified activities. His specialized efforts included low signature designs of many sub-systems and capabilities of various programs. After retirement Alan continued his dedication to his country through consulting to both the US Government and aerospace industry, including co-establishing a consulting company, Eagle Aerie Inc. Alan served a 4-year term as a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and he most recently served as advisor for the USAF/Department of Defense Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) as the “National Expert in Survivability”. Alan received various recognition of his achievements in the Aerospace and Defense industry, including from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the National Defense Industrial Association for combat survivability, and the Pioneers of Stealth award as one of the founders of Stealth Technology. Additional known programs where Alan was either Designer, Program Manager and/or Advisor: FFG Talbot, USS California, A-12, MQ-25 Tanker, B-21 Raider, and many other classified programs. Alan will be dearly missed by many. Flowers for the services or donations to Alan’s preferred charities are welcome. Wounded Warriors: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate Tunnel to Towers: https://t2t.org/donate/ Services: Funeral from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Wednesday, December, 13th, 10:00 a.m. to Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eureka for 10:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Bellerive Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation Tuesday, December 12th, 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

Tributes

Alan Reed Wiechman

January 18, 1949 - November 13, 2023