William Randolph Lovelace II
Encyclopedia
William Randolph "Randy" Lovelace II (December 30, 1907–December 12, 1965) was an American
physician
who made contributions to aerospace medicine.
He studied medicine at the Harvard Medical School and graduated in 1934. His residences were served at New York
's Bellevue Hospital and the Mayo Clinic
in Rochester, Minnesota
. He then went to Europe
for further study.
Having an interest in aviation, he became Flight Surgeon with the rank of First Lieutenant
in Army Medical Corps Reserve. He began studying the problems of high-altitude flight, and in 1938 the Aeromedical Field Laboratory located at Wright Field
requested him to develop an oxygen-mask for use in high-altitude aircraft.
It was in 1940 that he first met Jacqueline Cochran
, a female pilot who held three women's speed records. The two would form a lifelong friendship. With her influence Dr. Lovelace gained government funding for an aviation medicine program.
During World War II
he served in the Air Force
. He personally performed experiments in escape and the use of the parachute at high-altitude. On 24 June 1943 he bailed out of an aircraft flying at 40,200 feet. After the parachute opened he was knocked unconscious, and he suffered frostbite when his gloves were ripped off. For this test he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
His wife Mary had two sons, but both died of polio in 1946. The couple also had three daughters. In 1947 he helped establish the Lovelace Medical Foundation, currently known as the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
, in Albuquerque, and became the chairman of the Board of Governors. He used this clinic to promote the development of medical aerospace technology.
In 1958 he was appointed the chairman of the NASA Special Advisory Committee on Life Science. As head of NASA's Life Sciences, he would then play a key role in the selection of the astronaut
s chosen for the Mercury program
missions. In 1959 he also began examinations to determine the physical suitability of women candidates for the astronaut training program. In 1964 he was appointed NASA
’s Director of Space Medicine.
While Dr. Lovelace and his wife were flying in a private plane near Aspen, Colorado
, their pilot became disoriented and flew into a blind canyon. Three people were killed in the crash, including the doctor and his wife.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who made contributions to aerospace medicine.
He studied medicine at the Harvard Medical School and graduated in 1934. His residences were served at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Bellevue Hospital and the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
in Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. He then went to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for further study.
Having an interest in aviation, he became Flight Surgeon with the rank of First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in Army Medical Corps Reserve. He began studying the problems of high-altitude flight, and in 1938 the Aeromedical Field Laboratory located at Wright Field
Wright Field
Wright Field was an airfield of the United States Army Air Corps and Air Forces near Riverside, Ohio. From 1927 to 1947 it was the research and development center for the Air Corps, and during World War II a flight test center....
requested him to develop an oxygen-mask for use in high-altitude aircraft.
It was in 1940 that he first met Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneer American aviator, considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation...
, a female pilot who held three women's speed records. The two would form a lifelong friendship. With her influence Dr. Lovelace gained government funding for an aviation medicine program.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. He personally performed experiments in escape and the use of the parachute at high-altitude. On 24 June 1943 he bailed out of an aircraft flying at 40,200 feet. After the parachute opened he was knocked unconscious, and he suffered frostbite when his gloves were ripped off. For this test he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
His wife Mary had two sons, but both died of polio in 1946. The couple also had three daughters. In 1947 he helped establish the Lovelace Medical Foundation, currently known as the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
LRRI is a private, not-for-profit biomedical research organization dedicated to improving public health through research on the prevention, treatment, and cure of respiratory disease. LRRI employs over 500 staff in New Mexico and in 2008 is spending more than $60 million in the fight against...
, in Albuquerque, and became the chairman of the Board of Governors. He used this clinic to promote the development of medical aerospace technology.
In 1958 he was appointed the chairman of the NASA Special Advisory Committee on Life Science. As head of NASA's Life Sciences, he would then play a key role in the selection of the astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
s chosen for the Mercury program
Mercury program
Mercury Program might refer to:*the first successful American manned spaceflight program, Project Mercury*an American post-rock band, The Mercury Program...
missions. In 1959 he also began examinations to determine the physical suitability of women candidates for the astronaut training program. In 1964 he was appointed NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
’s Director of Space Medicine.
While Dr. Lovelace and his wife were flying in a private plane near Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, their pilot became disoriented and flew into a blind canyon. Three people were killed in the crash, including the doctor and his wife.
Awards and honors
- Distinguished Flying Cross.
- Inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.
- The American Astronautical SocietyAmerican Astronautical SocietyFormed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society is an independent scientific and technical group in the United States dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. AAS supports NASA's Vision for Space Exploration and is a member of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the...
presents the William Randolph Lovelace II Award in recognition of exceptional contributions to space science and technology. - The crater LovelaceLovelace (crater)Lovelace is a lunar impact crater that is located on the far side of the Moon, just behind the northern limb. It lies to the south-southwest of the crater Hermite, and just to the north of the slightly smaller Froelich. To the east is Sylvester....
on the MoonMoonThe Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is named after him.