Natalie Crawford, whose contribution to analysis and modernization of the U.S. Air Force is legendary and who received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Michigan State University in 2016, has died at 86.
Crawford spent 60 years as an analyst and expert at the RAND Corp. and was instrumental in the development of almost every innovation pioneered during her career, from precision weapons to stealth equipment.
University Distinguished Professor Leo Kempel called Crawford a friend and mentor with incredible institutional memory.
“A wonderful human being, she made an impact on our nation that cannot be forgotten. She became a Spartan and usually sent me a joyful message on game days, both football and basketball,” he added. Kempel is the former dean of the College of Engineering and is the Dennis P. Nyquist Endowed Professor in Electromagnetics in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).
Stephen Schneider, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Scientist and currently an ECE professor at MSU, said he got to know Crawford very well in his 30 years in the U.S. Air Force.
“She had a keen intellect and a relentless passion and drive to support the Air Force she loved. In all the years I worked with her I never saw her conviction waver on her well thought-out, data driven recommendations - even when they were unpopular or contrary to the views of senior leadership,” Schneider said.
“While her technical acumen was incredible, she was an even better person, mentor and friend to many of us who worked with her ranging from airmen to many of the secretaries of the Air Force she served. She left an extraordinary legacy. She also left an indelible mark on me personally; I will miss her very much.”
Crawford was a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and held several leadership positions within RAND Project Air Force, including vice president and director from 1997 to 2006.
She received the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2012 Thomas D. White National Defense Award for her significant contributions to national security. In 2011, Crawford also earned Air Force Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to advancing aerospace science and technology.
With research areas in aerospace, air defense, information operations and military strategy, Crawford was a senior mentor on the U.S. Air Force’s Scientific Advisory Board and served as a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UCLA in 1961.
Michigan State University, Air & Space Forces, and the Rand Corporation contributed to this article.
Written by Patricia Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page