Brian Franklin Boggs

Brian Franklin Boggs, 87, of Ooltewah, Tennessee passed away Monday, March 13, 2023. He was born July 12, 1935 near Eckley, Colorado. After his father returned from W.W.II, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Graduating in 1957 from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s from University of Southern California, Brian and family moved to the Los Angeles area where he was employed by Rocketdyne designing and developing ignition systems and gas generators for the F-1 and J-2 rocket engines. Those engines were used to lift the Saturn V toward the moon. When described as a Rocket Scientist, he responded,” There’s no such thing as a Rocket Scientist ---Rockets are all Engineering”. Brian and Yvonne married in 1972. They moved to Simsbury, CT. in 1974 where he later was promoted to Manager of Engineering for the Ensign Bickford Aerospace Co. Retiring in 1990, he and Yvonne moved to Jekyll Island, Ga. to live on the beach. Asked how he was able to retire so early, his response was, “I had a Seiko watch and a wife, and they both worked”. They later moved to Ooltewah, Tenn.. After retiring, Brian and Yvonne traveled extensively by motor home having been in 49 states with Spike their much-loved cat. Both were active in antique car stuff. Their last oldies were a 52 Cadillac and a 40 Ford pickup. Brian is survived by wife Yvonne, son, Bradley Boggs of Moorpark, Calif., daughter, Julie Hastings of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., step-daughters, Lee Latham of Harrison, Tenn., and Dawn Burleson of Albuquerque, N.M., also Piper the World’s greatest cat. There will be no funeral, rather a gathering of friends and loved ones at a later date. Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories. Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.