New terminal at Sky Harbor Airport dedicated to aerospace engineer from Nashwauk

A dedication ceremony was held Thursday, October 24, to recognize a Nashwauk man who helped send man into space. Dr. Robert Gilruth was an aerospace engineer and NASA’s first director of the manned spacecraft center. He spent 40 years with the agency, and was instrumental in the space race.

The new terminal at Sky Harbor Airport in Duluth at the end of Park Point bears his name.

Sandra Ettestad, the President and Founder of the of the Duluth Aviation Institute, says the new terminal is a beautiful attribute for the aviation community and provides important recognition to Gilruth.

“He is a legend and that is why we’re bringing it forward to Duluth, to let them know what a fabulous person they nurtured here in our hillside. He’s a Minnesotan. We should be really proud of him,” Ettestad said. “He put man on the moon and brought them back to Duluth.”

Gilruth was born in Nashwauk, Minnesota, but moved to Duluth when he was young, eventually graduating from Duluth Central High School in 1931. After attending the University of Minnesota, Gilruth worked at NASA’s Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory.

“Dr. Gilruth was a remarkable engineer who made significant contributions to flight research and space exploration,” said Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority. “We are proud to celebrate his northern Minnesota heritage and enduring legacy with the naming of the Dr. Robert R.

The Robert R. Gilruth Terminal offers several amenities including an upscale pilot lounge, a modern flight planning room with up-to-date aeronautical information, vending options, and outdoor patio areas, which will be open to the public.

The terminal opened in July and was a $2.6 Million investment.