In Memory of Keith Hirsch

Keith Hirsch, a long time member of the San Francisco Section, was killed recently in a tragic blimp accident. Keith was thirty seven years old and a former engineer of Lockheed Missile and Space Co. in Sunnyvale. After being laid off from Lockheed, Keith took the bold step of trying to establish a commercially viable airship company. He worked for several years to develop support for the concept and prove its potential.

He became a licensed airship pilot and personally leased a small, two person blimp. He hoped to rent advertising space on the ship to commercial companies for promotional purposes. He was on a flight with one of his ground crew when he experienced control problems and made an emergency landing at Hayward Airport. He ordered his passenger out and they were both trying to hold the airship down when it suddenly started to ascend. Keith held on and tried to reenter the control cabin and save the ship but was unable to do so. He fell 200 ft. to the runway below.

Keith is survived by his wife, Zita, and their two sons, Alex and Sam. Contributions may be made to Zita Hirsch, Trustee, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 1 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104.

blhaas@juggler.lmsc.lockheed.com (Brian Haas)

Last Updated: 04-23-95