Uncle Joe Salas Rodriguez started working for North American Aviation in Los Angeles in July 1956 and shortly thereafter was transferred to Cape Canaveral to work on the Space Program where he stayed for a few years. Uncle Joe and Aunt Irene visited the Cape in the Fall of 2000 to see a night launch. They spoke often about the memorable experience.

Uncle Joe was always interested in the Space Program and airplanes in general. If he hadn’t lost an eye from a tumor when he was 3 years old he would have been a pilot or maybe an astronaut. He loved going to the airport to watch planes land and take off. He was enthralled by flight. On his last trip to Washington, DC he visited the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and wanted to return the next day. Of all the sites we visited that was the highlight of his trip.

Uncle Joe passed away peacefully at home in Belmont Shores, California on January 15, 2018 from complications of Alzheimer's. He was a wonderful husband (52 years), father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many who miss his laugh and sense of humor. We cherish the memories.

Love,
Cynthia, Sandra, Irene, Jennefer and Ronald