Lawrence "Ritchie" Brook Coryell, 85, died at home on April 27, 2021, and has gone to be with the Lord.
Born in Richmond, VA, he was raised in Lebanon, IN, attended Phillips Andover Academy, Andover, MA, and graduated from MIT, majoring in geophysics. He earned his Master's degree in geophysics at CalTech, then earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1961. The same year, he married Carol Ann Roberts Coryell at Park Street Church, Boston, MA.
He was very active in the space program, which included jobs in Dallas, TX and Huntsville, AL. At the Jet Propulsion Lab, Pasadena, CA, he was instrumental in designing the unmanned lunar roving vehicle. He later worked for the National Science Foundation in Washington., DC and was active in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), using his science and business degrees.
Retired in 2005, he traveled extensively around the USA and to Europe and the Caribbean. Over the years, he was very active in church activities and men's Bible studies.
He was ill for several years fighting cancer, diabetes and heart problems. He leaves behind Carol Ann, his wife of 60 years, and three sons, Mark (MI), Heath (VA), and Matthew (VA), and five grandchildren. Burial will be in Paducah, KY.