Obituary of Lt. Col. (Ret) David John Cloud

Lt. Col. (Ret) David John Cloud, 69, from Monument, Colorado passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024, following a nine-year battle with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

Dave was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on September 28, 1954, to Harold A. Cloud and Marion F. Cloud, the oldest of four children. Dave was raised in the St. Paul area with the exception of a short, one-year stint in Egypt while his father taught at the University of Asyut. In high school, Dave wrestled and played football; but he was also a talented member of his high school’s choir. After graduating from Hill-Murray High School in 1972, he went on to earn a BS in Engineering from the US Air Force Academy in 1976.

Dave met his loving wife, Barbara, in the fall of 1975 after a Colorado State vs. Air Force football game in Fort Collins. They enjoyed dating through their senior year and married in 1977 at Lowry AFB, Colorado. They were blessed with two children, Jason and Joshua. The family enjoyed travelling; attending and participating in the boys’ sport activities; and most of all, skiing. Dave particularly loved helping his sons with their math and science homework, using the opportunity as a teachable moment that often resulted in hours-long lessons. Family was everything to Dave.

Dave’s first assignment in the Air Force was to the 6585th Test Group at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he tested guidance and navigation systems. In 1981, Dave had the opportunity to study at Stanford University where he earned his MS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. His next assignment took him back to the United States Air Force Academy as an instructor in the Astronautical Engineering Department. In 1984, Dave was given another opportunity, this time to pursue his doctorate degree at Oxford University in Oxford, England. After he achieved that degree in 1987, he returned to United States Air Force Academy, serving as a Professor and Deputy Department Head for Operations for the Department of Astronautics until he retired in 1995. Dave, along with several other recently retired Astro department professors, formed a company called Teaching Science and Technology, Inc. (TSTI). The company's mission was to deliver short courses to various companies, government organizations (e.g., NASA), and international institutions covering space and systems engineering topics directly to professionals in their workplace. Dave was instrumental in the development of the curriculum and teaching tools which are still used by TSTI and organizations like the United States Space Force. His work with TSTI gave him the opportunity to travel and teach short courses at many locations in the United States and Europe. Dave loved learning and teaching. He had a gift of being able to explain the most complex engineering concepts to anyone, from laymen to highly trained engineers in the field of Astronautics.

After fully retiring from teaching in 2012, Dave was able to enjoy his favorite activities full-time. Dave loved to ski and when he wasn’t skiing, he was working out to prepare for the next ski season. Dave also loved to travel. Dave and his wife, Barb, had the privilege of visiting many European countries, Polynesia, Peru, Ecuador, Egypt, Russia, Canada and much of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Many of those trips were to visit family or annual visits to Disney Resorts. In addition, Dave enjoyed a good hike and being outdoors. Enjoying the beauty of this world brought him immense joy. 

Dave was pre-deceased by his parents, Harold and Marion Cloud. 

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara; their two sons and spouses, Jason (Jennifer), Joshua (Alyson); and his four grandchildren, Jackson, Ethan, Elliana, and Harrison. He is also survived by his brother Duane (Cathy Carlson), and his sisters Debra (Frances Aragon), and Diane, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration AFTD, in Dave’s memory.

Funeral Service, 10:00AM, Monday, February 5, 2024,The Community Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Drive, Air Force Academy, CO 80840. 

Burial to follow the service at the Air Force Academy Cemetery.