Dallas
Keith Gillespie was born in Tooele, Utah to Keith and Thelma Gillespie and was
raised in the small crossroads town of Wells, Nevada. While a cadet, Dallas
always spoke lovingly of his parents and his uncomplicated lifestyle in Nevada.
He was gifted with a great sense of humor and frequently entertained his H-2
classmates with tales of his unique past. One of his favorite stories was how
he played on his high school football team and in the school band at the same
time. According to this folklore, Dallas changed uniforms at halftime,
performed with the band, changed uniforms again and played the second half of
the football game.
The
folklore continued during Fourth Class Year, during which Dallas had more fun
than the average Plebe. Whenever an upperclassman asked where he was from and
where in the heck is Wells, Nevada, Dallas would reply, “Sir, it is in the land
of the Golden West, at the foot of the scenic Ruby Mountains”. During Plebe
Christmas, Dallas was chosen to escort members of the Olympic ice-skating team,
who were visiting West Point. He managed to escort them all the way to New York
City on military transportation. Using his charm, Dallas talked the driver into
waiting a few hours before returning to the Academy. How many other Plebes were
in New York City during that time? Also during Plebe Christmas, with the help
of a roommate accomplice, Dallas befriended one of the Hell Cats, who delivered
a bottle of vodka, gift wrapped, to their room. It was placed on the shelf with
a few other wrapped presents. A Tac Officer visited the room and commented that
it was nice that they had a few gifts.
Dallas
graduated well into the top half of the class, but he was far more intelligent
than that. His active and inquisitive mind led to discussion of all imaginable
topics, such as philosophy, religion, politics, and race relations. Dallas was
always seeking answers and a better way. He was a deep thinker who actively
studied and evaluated his place in society. He used his wisdom to counsel with
and help his friends in any way he could. One classmate writes, “I am always
grateful for the rare privilege of having shared a very special part of my life
with such a gifted listener, and by far the most tolerant human being I have
ever known.” In short, Dallas was the best. He was fun to be with because he
was a man of great substance and yet, he was never far removed from doing the
unexpected.
Dallas was
selected by his H-2 classmates to represent them on the Hop Committee, on which
he served for four years. He also was active for four years on the Debate
Council and Forum, The Howitzer and the Cadet Chapel Choir.
After
graduation, Dallas was commissioned in the Artillery and completed Airborne
training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dallas left the Army after his three-year
obligation. He married the former Donna Jean Marie Bennett, and returned to
Wells, Nevada, where he opened a local restaurant. One can only imagine the
discourse that ensued between the owner and the regular customers. Although
Dallas enjoyed the return to his roots, duty called, and he returned to
government service.
Dallas put
his brilliant mind to work in the aerospace industry. He went to work with NASA
in 1968 at John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida. While working at NASA, Dallas
earned a Masters Degree in Management from Florida State University. He
received many awards during his time with NASA, to include the NASA Public
Service Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Dallas also worked for
periods of time with McDonnell Douglas and Chrysler Corporation, both at the
Kennedy Space Center. Dallas retired in 1998 with thirty years in the aerospace
industry. Before retirement, he had attained Senior Executive status. A
classmate, who visited Dallas shortly before his retirement, reported that
Dallas was not very happy because he thought he had not accomplished enough. In
reality, how could he have accomplished more?
Dallas
held membership on the boards of the Astronauts Memorial Planetarium, Junior
Achievement, Brevard Cultural Alliance, the Economic Development Commission of
East Central Florida and the Brevard Youth Symphony. He was Chairman of the
Brevard Symphony Board and was a mentor for the Florida Special Olympics.
Upon
retirement, Dallas and Donna moved to Bailey, Colorado. They did not have much
time to enjoy their life there together. Shortly after the move, Dallas died
suddenly. All of his classmates will remember Dallas as the fun loving Plebe
and Cadet that he was. We will also remember a true friend; one that could be
counted on for a laugh when that was appropriate and for help and support when
it was needed. Those who knew Dallas in his profession will remember a
brilliant patriot who gave his all in the furtherance of space exploration and
the betterment of the community in which he lived. His wife Donna and sons,
Shawn and Devon, will remember a man, a husband, a father, who loved his family
more than anything else and who put nothing ahead of them.
Rest in
peace, good friend.
Your H-2 classmates
Remembrances:
Class Memorial Pages\H-2 Dallas Gillespie.pdf
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