University History]]> Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University]]> Virginia, Southwest]]> Aerospace engineers]]> Montgomery County (Va.)]]> Oral histories (document genres)]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> VT Stories, Kevin Crofton]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]> Aerospace engineers]]>
Despite growing up in the Depression era, Kraft enjoyed his childhood. Nevertheless, he is not a stranger to hardship. One event that drastically affected his future was a fall into a fire at age three that badly burnt his right hand. This burn would later keep Kraft from entering the service during WWII, making him one of the few students at Virginia Tech able to continue their education despite wartime demands.

Kraft shares that his mother, “the greatest woman he’s ever known”, was the person who made his education possible and sent him to Virginia Tech.

Kraft undertook his college education as a student in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech. Once Kraft entered Virginia Tech, the university was operating on a 12-month schedule because of WWII, and he graduated in just 2 years with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Though Kraft wanted to join the military and fight, he was told my a doctor conducting physicals that “we need engineers probably worse than we need soldiers,” and so Chris went back to Virginia Tech. Kraft recalls it being difficult for students at Virginia Tech who were unable to serve. Kraft remembers thinking “I am in the shelter of Virginia Tech and not…able to serve the country.”

Though he attended Virginia Tech during a tumultuous time, Chris has very fond memories of his time as a student. His camaraderie with fellow students, his relationships with his professors, and going to events such as the Ring Dance are all important and special memories for Chris. His drive eventually led to his election as President of the Corps of Cadets and his becoming what he calls the “BMOC:” the Big Man on Campus. Though he was at Virginia Tech for only a couple of years, Kraft believes it was his time on campus that prepared him for his future career and gave him leadership training.

By age 20, Kraft was a Tech graduate and a man with a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Kraft went on from an early position as a flight test engineer to becoming flight director, and eventually developing the US version of a mission control center.

In the late 1950’s, Chuck Matthews, a friend of Chris who also worked for NACA, came to him and asked if he would like to join a team that was at the time called the space task group, which operated in Houston, Texas.

While working for the space program, Kraft helped develop the spacecraft, train flight controllers, and focused on the details of the plan, especially regarding safety and the astronauts. Chris remembers there being countless questions to answer in order to ensure safety and success, and feeling the responsibility of carefully answering those questions.

Due to his involvement in the space program, Kraft now has more awards than he can count. Medals, magazine covers, and never-ending praise are just by-products of his revolutionary roles at NACA where he changed the trajectory of man’s future in space. Looking back on his life and the chain of events that led him to where he is today, Kraft recalls humble beginnings and a fervency for leadership that was developed during his time as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech. He states that Virginia Tech “is where I became a human being and a man,” giving him the foundation for his future success.

Due to his prominence and intelligence, Chris was invited to join the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech, which he accepted. During his time on the Board of Visitors and following, Chris watched Virginia Tech grow from a small military school to the large, renowned university that it is today. Though Virginia Tech has grown a lot since Chris attended, he is proud of the way the campus and students still have the same Hokie pride and retain a sense of the original purpose of the university. He says that “I have a great respect for the…spirit and the attitude that exists on the Virginia Tech campus. I think it has a certain amount of discipline associated with it still, and I like that.”

Today, Chris believes that Virginia Tech made him into the person he is, and that Virginia Tech gave him the opportunities that he had in his life. Chris says that without his education and experience at Virginia Tech, “I probably would have ended up being an apprentice in Newport News building ships….Virginia Tech gave me the broad capability to be willing to accept the responsibilities that I had as I went along.”

Throughout his life and career working for NASA, Chris demonstrated Hokie excellence and spirit, and remains a proud Virginia Tech alum today.

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2017-04-29]]> Chris Kraft, VT Stories]]> Oral histories]]>
University History]]> Aerospace engineers]]>
Tynan was born in Newport News, VA, on October 10, 1930. Academically advanced for his age, he had a “normal childhood.” The Great Depression affected many during that time, but luckily, Tynan’s father had a good job and was able to provide for the family. While attending Newport News High School, golf was his sport of choice – since he was years younger than his classmates, he was too small to play contact sports.

He became interested in Virginia Tech after meeting Chris Kraft, ’44 through a mutual friend. Kraft would show Tynan different projects, peaking his interest.

Tynan’s freshman year at Tech had a rocky beginning; he spent his “rat year” living at Radford Arsenal and taking a school bus to campus each day. At the time, the buildings looked similar, because they were built for World War II housing. The freshmen were required to wait in line in the mess halls in heavy coats and adhere to strict eating regulations. After freshman year, Tynan went on to advance from a corporal to a captain by his senior year.

When he moved over to central campus during sophomore year, he primarily spent his time studying. Every now and then, he would partake in or observe students playing pranks in the residence halls, such as leading cows up to people’s rooms and throwing them into the duck pond. Other than focusing on academics, Tynan spent his time playing golf, going on occasional dates, and going out of town.

After graduating from Tech, Tynan spent six in the Air Force. His relationship with Kraft led him to an interview, which in turn led him to a job working with him at NASA. At the time, it was common for VT engineering graduates to land jobs with the association. Tynan became involved on the recovery team for Project Mercury, working to safely recover astronauts as they return to Earth.

Tynan stayed at NASA from the mid-1950s to 1988. Throughout his time there he lived through many memorable experiences that he looks back on to this day. From working during the crash of the Challenger to trying zero-gravity toilets, he has been a witness to incredible progression in history.

Virginia Tech provided Tynan with the quality education he needed to pursue his substantial career at NASA. Looking back, he is incredibly grateful for the academics and discipline learned through his involvement with the Corps. The growth Tech has undergone since he was a student is impressive; the campus, programs, and opportunities continue to grow with each passing year. Tynan is proud of the continuous development of Virginia Tech and its commitment to producing individuals ready to positively impact and contribute to society. He is proud to consider himself a part of the Hokie legacy.
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2017-05-17]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Charles Tynan, VT Stories]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]>