Christopher K. Davis, a 1973 Damien Memorial School graduate who was a senior project manager with NASA’s space shuttle program, died suddenly at his home Wednesday in Merrit island, Fla. He was 56.

Davis often returned to Hawaii to speak to schoolchildren about careers in the space program. 

In 2006, he spoke to Damien students and brought with him a full Apollo space suit, including the helmet. He last spoke to students in 2011.

"I think the thing that impresses me about my brother most is he loved to give back, and so he loved speaking with the students," Davis’ sister, Karen Pearson, said.

Davis also helped investigate the 2003 Columbia shuttle explosion.

A memorial for Davis will be held in Hawaii at a later date.