September 5, 1920 – February 3, 2010
Born in East Orange, New Jersey, to English parents, Capt. John Barlow and Amy Bell Barlow, Ed was a brilliant student of science and engineering. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from Cooper Union School of Engineering, New York City, in 1941 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. During his career, he worked at Sperry Gyroscope Company during WW II where he improved the accuracy of gyroscopic ship compasses for the US Navy and helped develop RADAR. In 1948 he joined the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California where he managed complex studies on strategic air defense for the US Air Force. In 1960 he joined the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California where he was Vice President and General Manager of the Engineering Division leading engineering studies on missile and satellite systems for the US Air Force and NASA. In 1968 Ed was recruited by Varian Associates in Palo Alto, California to serve as Vice President of the Instrument Division and later manage the R&D department. Ed was a charter member of the National Academy of Engineering and served for many years on the Report Review committee of the National Research Council. In the 1960’s Ed was recognized by the City of Los Angeles for his work in the civil rights movement, and also by NASA for his contribution to returning the Space Shuttle to flight after the Challenger disaster. Ed was married to Barbara Thompson Barlow who passed away in 1996. Ed is survived by children Jim, Anne and John. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalists Church of Palo Alto, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306-4247, phone number (650) 494-0541, beginning at 1 P.M., Saturday, April 10, 2010. www.uucpa.org
