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In memory of

Milo Frank Mracek

Creve Coeur, MO

October 13, 1926 - June 9, 2018

Oct 13, 1926 - Jun 9, 2018

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Milo Frank Mracek was born in St. Louis to Bohemian immigrants on October 13, 1926. Throughout his childhood he was fascinated with flying machines, building an impressive collection of model airplanes, many of his own design. He was also an avid football player and was lineman on the team at Roosevelt High School, where he graduated class of 1944. He enlisted in the United States Army where he received basic engineering training at the University of Wyoming as well as voice and code radio operator training at Fort Benning, GA and Camp Fannin, TX. Following his service in Korea during WWII, Milo went on to play football for the University of Kansas where he received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1949.

Despite the challenges of securing a position in the post-war years, thanks to his persistence and talent, Milo was hired by McDonnell Douglas Corporation (now Boeing) at Lambert Field in St. Louis, MO. He had an illustrious career at McDonnell Douglas during which time he was a key contributor for much of the United States’ space program, including every manned spaceflight vehicle that has flown to-date and the Mars Viking landers. During his career, he received eight patents, including that for the Gemini space capsule heat shield and crew transfer hatch, multiple planetary lander geometries, and several technologies related to national security and missile defense, including the wing unfolding mechanism for the Harpoon missile. His numerous professional awards include two “Teammate of Distinction” Awards for the mechanical design of the B-52 Harpoon Demonstration Program and for his participation in the radar mapping and target selection demonstration team for the P-3 aircraft. He was a registered professional engineer and personally received seven additional patents for inventions outside of his professional accomplishments, including technologies to make caring for hospital burn patients more comfortable and ergonomic for both the patient and caregiver.

Personally, Milo demonstrated a love for his family that knew no bounds, making sacrifices for them for which they will always be profoundly grateful. Before, and immediately subsequent to, the birth of his daughter, Milo and his wife trained championship Collie dogs, winning enough trophies in obedience events to fill the walls of their family room. Once a father, Milo worked tirelessly to ensure the well-being of his daughter and took great joy in playing the games of childhood. His imagination and creativity continued to be on display as he reveled in playing with his granddaughter, who maintained for the rest of his life that “my grandpa can fix anything”. He is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, Queenie, his daughter and son-in-law Ann and Rich, his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Anna and Carl, his great-grandchildren, Livia Grace and Charles Frank and his sister Sandy Gardner.

An informal memorial will be held at Fountain View in Friendship Village, Sunset Hills on Saturday July 7th from 11am - 3pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Czech-American Educational Society (http://sokolstl.org/)

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