Wayne Leroy Sweeney
Born in a small town in upstate New York, Wayne Leroy Sweeney always knew he wanted to be an engineer, even before he realized what that meant. He spent countless hours of his childhood in his father’s workshop, taking apart small engines and rebuilding them. As a teenager, he directed his destruct-reconstruction energies toward speakers and sound equipment. He attended Milwaukee School of Engineering where, evidenced by his many beloved stories, he spent some of his most cherished years, earning his degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. He had found his niche. After a short time back in New York, Wayne and his wife moved to Houston, Texas, to join the NASA Space Shuttle program. Working several decades with Singer-Link and later Bendix/USA/Lockheed, Wayne distinguished himself as one of the leading sound experts. He was quite proud of the fact that he interacted with astronauts on their wireless sound equipment for training the motion-base simulator. Later, he contracted with a cabinet shop, updating their computerized machinery. Upon retirement, Wayne continued to stay active in the NASA community, helping establish the museum displays for the Space Shuttle simulator at Ellington Field.
Wayne had a wide range of interests. He was passionate about photography and video editing. He loved woodworking, especially furniture and cabinet design. He rarely met an engine he could not outsmart, or a gadget he could not live without. He had a brilliant mind.
Wayne is survived by his first wife Ziba and their daughters Layla Sweeney; Sarah (Justin) Pfeiffer and granddaughter Ava Pfeiffer; his second wife Mary and their children Laura (Ryan) Tenio and grandson Patrick Tenio; Ryan Sweeney; his sister Valerie (Kevin) Rogers, and extended family.
A Celebration of his life will be held, 2:00 pm, Friday, November 3, 2023 at Crowder Funeral Home Chapel Dickinson.
Mary,
I’m very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Fondly, Debbe Webne (The Refugee Program)
I remember Wayne as being an intelligent, nice, sweet man, that was so easy to get along with. Mary my thoughts are with you and your family today.
I hired Wayne many years ago as a electrical designer on the Space Station Program. As we worked together I saw that he was not only a very competent engineer but a genuine caring person. I remember fondly the time his father visited and we spent time together talking about Wayne, the space program and life in general. I could see where Wayne got his personality and work ethic from that short visit. After our work assignments and then retirement took us in different directions we stayed in touch at luncheons and internet.
I am very sadden to hear of his passing and offer my deep felt condolence to all of Wayne’s family. Rest in Peace my friend.
I remember Wayne from working with him because his desk was in the adjacent aisle and only a parttition separated us. Later in retirement I remember him helping a Boy Scout troop teaching them how to rebuild lawnmower engines .
I was out of town and was unable to attend Wayne’s service. Wayne made updates for the Space Shuttle Simulator’s nosewheel steering switch and I tested it to make sure it worked. It did. A few weeks later we were both called in to Building 5 because of the switch not working right. By the time both of us set foot in the building we were told it was a misunderstanding – it was working right. That was my most memorable experience with Wayne. If you saw him working on something you knew it would turn out OK. I was briefly in a group that did some requirements number crunching and Wayne was at the top for getting the most work done in the least amount of time. So, so sorry to see him go to the great beyond so soon. Will never forget him.