Frank (Ray) McHenry; Retired Engineer
Frank (Ray) McHenry, a retired engineer who assisted in the design of such famous jet reconnaissance aircraft as the SR-71 Blackbird and the U2, has died. He was 75.
McHenry, who earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Cincinnati, went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Co. in 1943, but left the company a year later to join the Navy, where he attained the rank of lieutenant.
After the end of World War II, McHenry returned to Lockheed in 1946, where he worked in the company’s super-secret “Skunk Works” plant in Burbank until his retirement in 1976.
A longtime Ventura resident, McHenry died at his home Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Marion, and daughters, Melinda Pemberton of Oak View and Lisa Brown of Ojai. He is also survived by a brother, Don McHenry of Oxnard, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Ventura County chapter of the American Lung Assn.
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