Alan M. Lovelace

Alan Mathieson Lovelace (born September 4, 1929) was the Deputy Administrator of NASA from July 2, 1976 to July 10, 1981. He filled in as acting Administrator twice: once during the Jimmy Carter administration to fill the May 2 to June 20, 1977 vacancy left by the retirement of James C. Fletcher, and again during the start of Ronald Reagan's administration from January 21 to July 10, 1981, until Reagan's choice James M. Beggs was confirmed by Congress.

Lovelace was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1951, received a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry in 1952 and became a Doctor of Philosophy in 1954, also in Organic Chemistry.

In June 1981, Lovelace was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Ronald Reagan.