George Abbott in Army Air Forces Band

On January 13, 2008, George A. Abbott passed away in Temecula, California. Abbott was an enthusiastic supporter of ITG and music during his lifetime.

George A. Abbott was born June 23, 1922 in Gloversville, New York. At an early age, Mr. Abbott showed talent at playing the trumpet and was encouraged by his violinist father. At age 19, however, he was called to service for World War II like so many other Americans at that time. At age nineteen, Abbott was called to service for World War II and joined the Army Air Forces and played in the band. After the war, Abbott attended UCLA, UC Berkley, and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Hastings College of the Law in 1954. After college, he became a member of the California Bar and the Federal Bar. Abbott worked for the Department of the Air Force from 1958 to 1962 after which time he was appointed Contracting Officer for the Johnson Space Center from 1962-1979. During his tenure as Contracting Officer, Abbott administered contracts for the Apollo, Skylab, ASTP and Shuttle Programs.

While Abbott worked during one of the most historic periods of the United States Space Program, his colleagues knew him as a man who loved to play the trumpet. Playing his trumpet all the way until his passing at age 85, George A. Abbott shared in the common love for the instrument that all the ITG membership understands. His connection with the trumpet was so strong that today, some of his trumpet memorabilia at the San Diego Air and Space museum in Balboa Park where he is remembered for his service to the space program.

George A. Abbott