July 30, 1940 – February 10, 2026

Harry “Hal” Kirkland Hiers, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and proud contributor to America’s space program, passed away on February 10, 2026, at the age of 85. A longtime resident of Sageglen in Houston and, more recently, Manvel, Texas, Hal lived a life marked by steady kindness, quiet humor, and unwavering dedication to the people he loved.

Born on July 30, 1940, in Bamberg, South Carolina, Hal was the son of Harry Grayom Hiers and Ruth Watts Hiers. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), graduating in 1962 with a degree in physics. Soon afterward, he began what would become a distinguished 35-year career with NASA. He started at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida before transferring in 1963 to the Manned Spacecraft Center (Johnson Space Center) in Houston.

Throughout his NASA career, Hal contributed to many of the nation’s most iconic human spaceflight programs, including Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. He was especially proud of his work on NASA’s Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER), the emergency propulsion backpack that has served as a vital safety lifeline for astronauts on spacewalks since the 1990s.

In 1967, Hal married the love of his life, Mitzi Jeane Eignus of Friendswood. Over their 58 years together, they built a family grounded in love, patience, and encouragement. Hal was the steady center of that family—raising their three sons, Richard, David, and Stephen—with the same calm presence and subtle humor that defined him.

Hal was an early member of Friendswood Methodist Church and, in more recent years, worshipped at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston. He loved Jesus and His Word which inspired him to give generously of his time—mentoring elementary students, exploring genealogy, and helping establish The Gathering Place at Friendswood Methodist Church. He cherished traveling with Mitzi and spending time with his grandchildren, whose accomplishments and adventures brought him great joy and pride.

A loyal Houston sports fan, Hal rooted faithfully for the Oilers and Texans and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the Houston Astros. He also had a soft spot for the family’s dogs and cat, who were constant companions throughout his life.

Hal is survived by his wife, Mitzi Jeane Hiers; his three sons, Richard Hiers (Anne), David Hiers (Lara), and Stephen Hiers; and his eight beloved grandchildren: Megan, Will (Clara), Caleb, Joseph, Hannah Ruth, Samuel, Luke, and Quinn. He is also survived by numerous nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother and sister-in-law, James Riley and Helma Hiers.

Hal will be remembered for his gentle spirit, dry wit, steadfast faith, and the quiet, abiding love he showed to his family, his colleagues, and his community. His legacy endures in the people he inspired, the family he cherished, and the spacefaring achievements he helped make possible.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, located at 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas. A graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Gathering Place at Friendswood Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Dr., a program that Hal helped establish and deeply enjoyed attending during the past several years.