European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 6, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday june 6, 1986 the stars and stripes director of Nasa rocket Center to retire9fin Page 3 . Ala. Impi William Lucas inc embattled director of the Nasa rih ocl Center that Man Ages space shuttle solid fuel boosters announced his retirement wednesday in inc Blest major personnel change to Rock the space Agency officials said. The retirement of , the highest ranking National aeronautics and space adminis Rainn official to leave the Agency in tile  of  disaster was seen by Simone observers ii inevitable amid i he presidential disaster commission s head criticism of the Marshall space might Center in Hun Lille. Which Lucas directed fur 12 years the resignation becomes effective on or Abnit Juh x but the commission i a curl on the Accident is expected in be made Public monday in Vao Vingum sever mimiih1 ago i recon eyed my with Biri Dav was rapidly approaching and i made inc do cumin i would re tire before the end of wha Lucas told Marshall space flight Center  on closed circuit television. The challenger Accident caused me to put aside thoughts of any retirement plans temporarily until inc cause of the tragedy was determined. Now that the causes of the Accident Are Well enough understood so that the problems can be fisc in. I have concluded that it is appropriate for me to retire now and allow my successor la become firmly established before he has to Deal with the issues and dec Sanns regarding Readi Ness for the Cut space shuttle flight Lucas was aware of the debate among rocket engineers the night before c  s fatal Blastoff about the effects of Eold weather on crucial of ring seals in Lite shuttle s twin Blister rockets. But he testified before the commission slut even in Hind sight the decision to proceed will the Bunch on Jan. Is v.i-, justified liven the data Nail the about How the Sean operate the commission Lias been harshly critical of Nasa s decision making process because word of inc debate on the Rug i be fore inc launch  never passed on to lop Nasa managers who had ultimate responsibility for Clearing challenger fur Blastoff. , who told the commission he was aware of the debate said he Kepi silent because he was nut part j of the launch decision Chain of com Mand and he fell the Issue had been resolved at an unexpected news Confer ence later in Huntsville  and Lucas i lop engineers including Lawrence Mulloy. Then chief of Lite Booster program at Marshall once again defended their actions. The new conference reportedly angered members of inc presidential commission and sources within Nasa said Lucas departure would he emn Vincnt. He s got to go one source said. Lucas was named director of Marshall on june is 1974. After he served there fur three hours As Deputy Dirac Lor of the sprawling Roc feel Center. I Lis Zepure has been Pix Lucive but critics charge he Sci up an autocratic Empire in which negative information Ali us the Center s work was is Angl discouraged Hul supporters including senic majority Leader Robert Dole a Kan. Say he provided forceful leadership in a crucial period of the nation s shuttle program.  had been with Marshall and forerunner organisations for More than .1 1 years and before he  named Deputy director of the can scr. He served As head of the program development . Lucas joined inc army s Rocke research Anil Devil ulment team at the a Niy s Redstone Arsenal in Hunts Villa in june 1952 As a staff member of the guided missile development division. In iy5o. Lucas was transferred to the development operations division of the army Lia Listic missile Agency As a materials specialist and helped develop a successful nose Cone for the Jupiter missile. On july i. L%0. The division served As the basis for the  of the Marshall Center Lucas was born in Newbern. Tenn. And he has a Bache Lor of science in chemistry from Memphis stale cell go. Now Memphis state University. Lie earned a Mailer s degree and a . In metallurgy Ai Vanderbilt  in Nashville. Usan  by a i c jell a Vyr.  dance is performed by add  left in Ciurlik a Turkey a mar haul engraved a Bruss plate right while pupils Danio Isik unit enily Krohse Walch. Turkish Cra Fismen show pups How it s done in Ciurlik a Turkey local craftsmen inv cd to. The first culture Day at inc Flik elementary school showed about 800 pupils teachers and volunteers How to make turkish rugs capper Are leather clothing jewelry and lanterns. Pupil Carina Brantly 9, said she enjoyed the Copper works inc Best. We have Lols of Copper Bui i be never seen it made before she said. Lolk dances performed throughout the Day included the traditional courtship marriage ceremony. In knowing and understanding each Utler culture Exchange has a big role for inc  said col. Tanur Engin turkish installation commander. The things to be Learned by american Elemen tary school pupils during the Lime spared for turkish culture will be helpful for their future life to open wide hori7nns." the event was the brain Chi id of Carol m ill or he school s talented and gifted program specialist. Miller who his taken part in other culture Days in the Philippines Korea and Japan said the event was designed As a feud will gesture Between americans and the turkish Community.  Hope to expand it into a joint american turkish Community event in the future she said