Floyd Schell

Born and raised in Cincinnati’s Northside, Floyd Schell ’54 credits Roger Bacon High School with helping shape the foundation that guided his life and remarkable career. After beginning his education at St. Patrick School and graduating in 1950, Floyd spent two years in the seminary discerning a call to religious life. He ultimately chose to attend Roger Bacon, where he found a faith-filled community grounded in friendship, discipline, and Franciscan values.

“I am so grateful for what Roger Bacon High School gave me—especially the priests who were there,” Floyd shared. “They shaped me into the man I am today.” Decades later, those connections remain meaningful. Through the Roger Bacon alumni directory, Floyd recently reconnected with classmate Ed Schrand ’54. “Ed now lives in Michigan, and it was so nice to talk again after 50 years,” he said.

Following graduation, Floyd began his professional career at General Electric, working in the computer department on IBM systems tied to jet engine development. He balanced third-shift work at GE while attending the University of Cincinnati, demonstrating the determination and work ethic instilled during his time at RB.

That dedication led Floyd to a career at the forefront of technological innovation. He went on to manage computer systems at Arizona State University before relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, where he supported NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. There, he worked during the early stages of the Saturn program, overseeing several large-scale computers essential to the agency’s groundbreaking efforts.

Floyd later joined NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston as a computer manager during one of the most historic periods in space exploration. He was responsible for servicing and operating the five computers that supported Mission Control throughout the Gemini, Apollo, and early Space Shuttle programs.

“I was privileged to work in the NASA Mission Control Center during the Gemini, Apollo, and early Shuttle manned missions,” Floyd reflected. “I was proud to be a representative of Roger Bacon.”

In later years, Floyd embraced a new adventure, spending 18 years living in Wyoming—including five years traveling the country in an RV. It was during that time that he fell in love with the beauty and tranquility of Jackson Hole, a place that continues to hold a special place in his heart.

From the halls of Roger Bacon to the heart of NASA’s Mission Control, and onward to the wide-open landscapes of the American West, Floyd Schell’s journey reflects a life guided by faith, curiosity, and purpose—values rooted firmly in his Roger Bacon experience.