AL HR36

Dr. Julian Davidson of Huntsville, Alabama, founder of Davidson Technologies and benefactor of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, died on January 31, 2013.

Dr. Davidson served nearly 60 years in space and missile defense, including as Deputy Program Manager of Ballistic Missile Defense for the U.S. Army and first director of the Advanced Ballistic Missile Defense Agency before founding his aerospace and defense company in 1996.

Dr. Davidson and his wife Dorothy donated $2 million to the 68,000 square-foot, $22 million Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which opened in 2008 and houses a restored original Saturn V rocket.

The Davidsons also contributed $2 million toward construction of the Davidson Center for the Arts at the Huntsville Museum of Art.

The House of Representatives and Madison County Legislative Delegation mourn Dr. Davidson's death and extend condolences to his surviving wife, four children, and grandchildren.