Engineering New Frontiers Summer Camp - the School of ...

Noted with Sadness, Charles Kaman, B.A.E. 1940
With the death on Jan. 31, 2011, of Charles Kaman, the School of Engineering
lost a most illustrious and supportive alumnus. Mr. Kaman, a magna cum
laude graduate of the aeronautical engineering program, is best known at
CUA for his generous endowment of the Kaman Awards for Faculty Excellence.
He was a prolific inventor, skilled musician, and active humanitarian.
Mr. Kaman founded Kaman Aircraft in 1945 in his mother’s garage in
Connecticut, after inventing a new rotor concept that made helicopters more
stable and easier to fly. He was 26. During his half-century of leadership, the
company, renamed Kaman Corp., became a billion-dollar enterprise, with
accomplishments that included helicopters known for outstanding performance
results and continued innovation, the first gas-turbine-powered helicopter,
the first twin-turbine-powered helicopter, the first remotely controlled helicopter,
and the first all-composite rotor blade. Mr. Kaman was especially
proud that his HH-43 Huskie helicopter was “a workhorse in rescue missions
in the Vietnam War.” It is estimated that 15,000 lives have been saved as a
result of Huskie rescue missions.
Mr. Kaman was also an accomplished guitarist whose pursuit of excellence
in helicopter design could have been derailed early in his career when he was
asked join Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra. Mr. Kaman demurred, but in 1960, he
formed Kaman Guitars after realizing he could improve the performance of
acoustic guitars. Mr. Kaman and a team of aeronautical engineers “discovered
the perfect combination of synthetic materials and natural woods to
create a truly amazing sounding acoustic guitar,” according to an online
history of that guitar—the Ovation. Among musicians who use the Ovation
are Melissa Etheridge, Ziggy Marley, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Vince Neil
and Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Shakira, Shania Twain, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith),
and Rick Nielson (Cheap Trick).
In 1970, Mr. Kaman and his sons Bill and Steve produced an LP, Going to
the Dogs, using Ovation guitars. Proceeds from the LP helped fund another
of Mr. Kaman’s projects, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, which trains
German shepherds as guide dogs for the blind and police. Fidelco operates
in 35 states and four Canadian provinces.
Donald Lamontagne, B.S.E. 1969
Charles Kaman, B.A.E. 1940
Lt. Gen. Donald A. Lamontagne, B.S.E. 1969,
received the 2010 Engineering Distinguished
Alumni Award at the annual Homecoming luncheon
of the School of Engineering in October 2010.
Before approximately 100 attendees, including
administrators, faculty, students, alumni, and
staff, Dean Nguyen presented General Lamontagne
with the award plaque after reading his
impressive biography.
Now retired, General Lamontagne has had a
long and illustrious career in the United States
Air Force. He received a Bachelor of Science in
engineering degree from CUA in 1969 and a
Master of Science degree from Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical College in 1980. He commanded
cuaengineer
Air Force General Receives School Alumni Award
the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1986,
which was winner of the U.S. Air Force in Europe
commander in chief’s trophy. In 2001, he was
appointed commander of Air University at
Maxwell Air Force base, where he remained
until 2004. General Lamontagne has received
many awards and decorations, including the
Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior
Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation
Medal. He is currently serving as a “senior
mentor” for the U.S.A.F. He flew more than 3,600
hours as a command pilot, including 300 combat
hours in the F-16C and F-111F, and served in
various staff positions at major commands and
Joint Staff.
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