September 17, 1946 – May 11, 2019
Patrick Steven Sharp, a resident of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on May 11, 2019. He was born on September 17, 1946 in Newport, VA to William A. and Gladys E. (Henderson) Sharp.
Pat graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in June 1968.
Pat served on active duty at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973 where he worked for Burt Rutan. Pat began his civil service career at Edwards AFB He was the second flight test engineer on the B-1 bomber following Dick Abrams. Pat served as a Secretary of the Air Force (SAF) technical director from 1978 to 1998. Pat served as the SAF/AQL technical director from 1998 until his retirement from civil service in 2002 as a Senior Executive Service (SES-1). Pat worked for MTSI from 2002 to 2019.
Pat was one of those unique individuals, who truly cared about people, but he managed hard and had very high expectations for his people and they often lived up to them. Pat was held in high regard because of his extraordinary intellect, his terrific humor and very quiet and humble achievements. Pat’s impact on our Nation was immense and ongoing. Those who were fortunate to work directly with him were and are better for it. Pat’s legacy is a unique Air Force environment and organization infused with a culture that he instilled by reminding everyone that, “Our customer is…some Second Lieutenant, fifteen years from now, that we will never meet…who is flying the weapon system and succeeding at destroying the target because we did our job well…don’t ever forget it.” Neither Pat’s lessons nor the fact that he deliberately lived a life in service to our Nation that was unacknowledged to the general public and to his family will ever be forgotten.
Pat directly influenced the careers and contributed to the success of hundreds of military, civilian and contractor personnel who became field grade officers, general officers, senior non-commissioned officers, astronauts, national experts, subject matter experts, government and industry leaders. But most importantly, Pat’s devotion, dedication and commitment ensured the safe return of numerous pilots and air crews from harm’s way.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, William A. and Gladys E. (Henderson) Sharp. Though an only child, Pat is survived by an extended family of coworkers who became friends and eventually brothers and sisters for life.See More
Services
- Visitation Friday, June 14, 2019
- Celebration of Life Friday, June 14, 2019
- Funeral Service Saturday, June 15, 2019
- Committal Service Saturday, June 15, 2019
Memories
Patrick Steven Sharp
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Bob Toth
July 2, 2019
I worked for Pat from 1980 to 1986 and again from 1990 to 2010. I really didn’t work for him, but I did work for him. If you were there during these periods you know what I mean.
He “made” my careers both as an officer and as a contractor. He was demanding but understanding. He loved and took care of his FTE’s with enough love and respect for us “other guys” to make us proud!
It was a privilege to be at the Last Engineer’s Call, even though we were reminded that it wasn’t a SCIF, like “Billy’s East” and “Billy’s West.”
Walt “Wally” Brecevic
June 2, 2019
Tenacious, uncompromising, focused, constant mentoring, commitment and culture warrior are key traits that Pat exhibited on a daily basis. Pat didn’t appreciate bureaucracies, whining, untruthfulness or group think.
In an era where risk aversion and protecting oneself over the greater good seems to run rampant, Pat stood as a beacon to old school ways by challenging the status quo.
I will miss him dearly because he challenged me professionally beyond what I thought I was capable of. As most of you that interfaced with Pat can attest, Pat showed me how to summon my inner courage to speak up when someone was about to do something that “was dumber than a hundred head of sheep”!
Pat, go forward in eternal peace and don’t be too hard on the big guy!
John Gex
May 15, 2019
“For it is the lot of some men to perform duties about which they may not speak…. such work is not for every man. But those who accept the burdens implicit in this silent labor realize a camaraderie and sense of value known to few. These memories cannot be stolen. They will last always. Untarnished, ever better.”
Pat and I started as friends, ended otherwise, But unlike many others in my circle, Pat never lied to me or pretended to be what he wasn’t. I always appreciated that.
RIP my friend.
Laurie (Cooper) Green
May 14, 2019
Pat was definitely one of a kind. I worked for him when Steven Green and I married. In the photo I asked Pat for permission to get pregnant while we danced at my wedding. He granted permission 🙂 When I found out I was pregnant I told him I was expecting a little Patrick or Patricia. He excitedly laugh and asked “Really?” I confirmed I was pregnant. He replied “…are you really going to name the baby Patrick or Patricia?” I think I replied maybe. Months later we had a son – Jacob.
Dick McQuillan
May 14, 2019
One of my many memories of Pat took place at the Pratt & Whitney Engine Facility in West Palm Beach, FL in 1978. We had arrived during lunch hour for the company’s employees so we decided to kill a little time by walking down to the large pond in front of the main entrance to the plant. As we got near the shoreline we noticed warning signs informing visitors of the alligators in the pond…and sure enough we were headed right toward a large one of these toothy beasts. I expressed my desire to go no further, but that didn’t seem to have any impact on Pat’s need to get a closer look. Typical of Pat, he believed he could overcome the jaws of defeat! As Pat soldered forward the alligator eventually turned and slithered back into the pond. Maybe that was the secret of Pat’s success; he never let alligators, generals or corporate leaders halt his progress toward goals he found worthy.
Dick McQuillan
Dave Bujold
May 14, 2019
Pat Sharp was a great American who would simply be more than satisfied that all of us genuinely agreed he made a difference to this nation in the manner described by the engraved plaque he handed out reminding us all about our shared oath to quietly make a difference without seeking public or family recognition. God bless Pat Sharp, our friend, our brother.
Dirk Jordan
May 14, 2019
Pat Sharp was uncompromising and sometimes a bit harsh. And because of that, and his force of will, many American and Allied Airmen are alive today. He was a Great American. Godspeed Pat!
Dan McGuire
May 14, 2019
Pat was somewhat intimidating to me at first, but once I got to know him a little better and he me, then I realized that Pat was totally focused on the mission and would not accept less than the best. He had no problem getting in your face and he would do that until you understood that you had to do better. In my retirement years I had occasions to meet socially with Pat and it was a different ballgame altogether. I am sorry that we have lost a true patriot and offer my sincere condolences to Pat’s family and others in his life. He will be missed by many and especially our country.
Don Blanton
May 14, 2019
Pat taught me to speak less and listen to people that know what they are talking about. Wish I did better to follow his advise but it has served me well. He also said don’t listen to idiots!! !
Denise Haen
May 14, 2019
My late husband David and I worked with Pat for over 20 years and he was definitely a great patriotic man. My condolences to Pat’s family and close friends. He made our country a safer place.
Biography
Patrick Steven Sharp, a resident of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on May 11, 2019. He was born on September 17, 1946 in Newport, VA to William A. and Gladys E. (Henderson) Sharp.
Pat graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in June 1968.
Pat served on active duty at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973 where he worked for Burt Rutan.
Pat began his civil service career at Edwards AFB He was the second flight test engineer on the B-1 bomber following Dick Abrams.
Pat served as a Secretary of the Air Force (SAF) technical director from 1978 to 1998.
Pat served as the SAF/AQL technical director from 1998 until his retirement from civil service in 2002 as a Senior Executive Service (SES-1).
Pat worked for MTSI from 2002 to 2019.
Pat was one of those unique individuals, who truly cared about people, but he managed hard and had very high expectations for his people and they often lived up to them. Pat was held in high regard because of his extraordinary intellect, his terrific humor and very quiet and humble achievements.
Pat’s impact on our Nation was immense and ongoing. Those who were fortunate to work directly with him were and are better for it. Pat’s legacy is a unique Air Force environment and organization infused with a culture that he instilled by reminding everyone that, “Our customer is…some Second Lieutenant, fifteen years from now, that we will never meet…who is flying the weapon system and succeeding at destroying the target because we did our job well…don’t ever forget it.” Neither Pat’s lessons nor the fact that he deliberately lived a life in service to our Nation that was unacknowledged to the general public and to his family will ever be forgotten.
Pat directly influenced the careers and contributed to the success of hundreds of military, civilian and contractor personnel who became field grade officers, general officers, senior non-commissioned officers, astronauts, national experts, subject matter experts, government and industry leaders. But most importantly, Pat’s devotion, dedication and commitment ensured the safe return of numerous pilots and air crews from harm’s way.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, William A. and Gladys E. (Henderson) Sharp. Though an only child, Pat is survived by an extended family of coworkers who became friends and eventually brothers and sisters for life.