Michael Andrew Fitzgerald

Michael Andrew Fitzgerald, a beloved husband, dad, grandpa and engineer involved in many pioneering space programs, passed away on March 28, 2024 from complications of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Michael was born in New York, New York , grew up in Watsontown, Pennsylvania and graduated from Warrior Run High School, where he was president of the student council, played varsity basketball and baseball, a member of the concert choir and elected to their Hall of Fame.

After high school, he went on to the Air Force Academy, where he met his wife Kathy, then a student at Colorado State University. He married Kathy on Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii while on R&R from Vietnam in 1970. In all, he served on active duty for 22 years, retiring in 1990.

Along the way, he completed a master’s degree in systems engineering at the University of Southern California in 1978 and worked tirelessly on the development of special surveillance and imaging satellite systems, intercontinental missile systems along with other high technology applications including advanced flying platforms.

After retiring from active duty, he worked as a program manager and technical lead on many intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs as a contract professional with several different companies.

Most recently, he spent his days working as the Senior Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Galactic Harbour Associates, Inc. where he served as the Chief Architect for the International Space Elevator Consortium.

Michael was an avid sports fan, master of completing honey-do lists and a tireless reader of novels. He also enjoyed travelling the world with Kathy, cooking dinner on the backyard grill and sipping on good wine.

Michael was an active member of the Fort MacArthur Catholic Chapel in San Pedro, CA where he also served as a lector.

Michael is survived by Kathy, his wife of 54 years, two sons, Brad and Brian, grandchildren Samantha and Jack, sisters Claire and Kathleen and brother George.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending any donations the Air Force Academy Sabre Society online at: www.usafa.org/Sabre2024 , vial mail to: The Air Force Academy Foundation, ATTN: Gift Processing, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO, 80840-4475, or by phone at: 719-472-0300 x200.