Obituary of Reinhard Ennulat

Passed away peacefully in his sleep February 27, 2014 in Santa Barbara, CA. Born July 9th, 1927 in Insterburg, Germany he grew up during WWII in Frankfurt/M, Germany. He was drafted into the German Army at age 17 and spent time in a British POW Camp. After the war he studied Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry at the Goethe University in Frankfurt/M where he received his bachelor's and master's of science degree in Physics as well as a doctorate in Physics. He worked as a Physicist at Hartman and Braun in Frankfurt, where he met his wife, Renate. In 1958 the US Government hired him as a civilian employee under the "Action Paperclip" program to work as a Research Physicist at the US Army Night Vision and Electro-Optics Laboratory at Fort Belvoir Army Base in Virginia eventually becoming Director of the Department. He and his colleagues were pivotal in the RandD of Night Vision Technology. After 19 years with the government Reinhard went into private industry: Director of Electro-Optics systems at Rockwell International in Seal Beach, CA. Chief Scientist at Honeywell Electro-Optics Operations in Lexington, MA. Chief Scientist at Gencorp-Aerojet in Southern California He continued to work as a consultant in his field even after his retirement in 1994. Reinhard considered himself a lifelong student of Physics, always keeping up to date with the latest research. Even though he stated that his profession was his hobby, he pursued many other hobbies in his lifetime. During his years as a student in Germany he was an avid mountain climber in the Dolomites and the Alps, sleeping in ice caves when the weather set in. When he moved to the US he was able to fulfill his dream of flying solo and got his pilot's license. Years later in his 60ties he took up hang- and paragliding. Reinhards interests were not restricted to extreme sports. He enjoyed playing Golf and Tennis with his wife, Renate and family. He was an artist in several medians including drawing, painting and sculpting with wire. He and Renate also traveled extensively in Europe and Australia. Reinhard will be sadly missed by his wife of 58 years, Renate, his children Yvonne (Robin), Dean, Rene' (Rick) and grandchildren Angie, Luke, Nick and Tara. He is preceded in death by his oldest son, Frank, and his brothers Johannes and Egbert Ennulat. A heartfelt thank you to the Doctors Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD/ UCLA. David Frecker, MD, Alan Brown, MD and Erin Moore, MD who through their expertise and collaboration assisted Renate with improving his quality of life during the years living with Parkinson Movement Disorder. Renate wishes also to thank the doctors for their friendship over the years. Reinhard's family is grateful to the multitude of health care providers who assisted Reinhard in living life to the fullest. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara (PASB), Keck Center for Outpatient Services at Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital or the Mental Wellness Center (NAMI)