Henry Owen Inman; Retired Aeronautical Engineer

Henry Owen Inman, a retired aeronautical engineer and longtime Burbank resident, has died in West Los Angeles. He was 71.

Inman died Sunday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his wife, Jean, said.

He was born in a farmhouse in Cannelton, Pa., on New Year’s Day 1919. Just after receiving his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1942, Inman joined the Air Force. He served as a flight engineer for four years, achieving the rank of first lieutenant.

After he was discharged, Inman worked for several aircraft companies on the East Coast and in the Midwest before moving to California in 1961. He worked for the Lockheed Corp. in Burbank from 1961 to 1971 and later owned and operated a liquor store and deli in North Hollywood. In 1981, he went to work for Rockwell International Corp. in Downey, where he was involved in the space shuttle program until his retirement in 1985.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years; sons David of Burbank and Paul of Sylmar; daughter, Leah Corcoran-Gibson of Tujunga; and six grandchildren.

Visitation is planned from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. today, with a graveside service to follow at 11 a.m., both at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Forest Lawn is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Inman’s name to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assn. in Los Angeles.