Multiple sources reporting that Capt. Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon thus far, has passed away at 82.

Ad Astra!

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Dean Fox
NAR #53946SR

---- "Wherever you go, there you are"

My wife told me the news just before I saw this post. The astronauts were my heroes growing up. I desperately wanted to follow in their footsteps (literally!) but when the Apollo Program was cut short, I changed plans, figuring my chances weren't too good.

Eerily, I was up about 5am due to a cold, and started watching TV. I was going to watch Last Man on the Moon on Netflix, but fell asleep. I'll definitely watch it tonight. (My wife took control of the remote and is watching either Hallmark Or Lifetime movies. I don't think I have the strength to wrestle the remote out of her grip ... )

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

I saw him a few times at Kennedy Space Center.



He attended several events supporting the Astronaut Scholarship Fund. He was of the most open of the Apollo astronauts when it came to sharing his experience with the public. And, he always made it clear that he looked forward to losing the title of "last person to walk on the moon."

-- Roger

Yes, another sad hero passing, following on the heels of loosing John Glenn the last of the Mercury astronauts.

Gene was the first of four moonwalkers I've met (talked to him at two different events at Kennedy Space Center over the years), and he could not have been nicer and more down to earth (no pun intended).

First event I talked to him at was the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire. He was there as a guest speaker that morning. Roger Chaffee had been a very good friend of his and he was very saddened and shaken by his death. Now, the Apollo 1 fire is approaching it's 50th anniversary here in less than two weeks. Where does time go....

I remember telling Gene of watching the Apollo 17 launch on TV that night back in December, 1972 and then stepping out in our backyard to see if we could see it going up (we lived in mid-Georgia and it was suppose to be visible under the right conditions, somethting I did verify visibly a number of times decades later with various shuttle missions).

I think with Gene's passing that leaves only six of the twelve moonwalkers with us. If you have a chance to ever meet and talk with one, it is an experience you won't forget.

Fly high and far, Gene! I pray that you are now seeing sights that will make your three days on the moon pale by comparison.

Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

My wife called this afternoon and told me about it. I've had the Netflix movie on my list for a while, so I stopped what I was doing and watched it. He may not have been a part of the "greatest generation" that faught in WWII, but his generation had some pretty great folks in it too.

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I love sanding.

Another legend gone. Sad start to the new year, especially so soon after losing John Glenn.

At least they had long, happy, healthy lives.

Later! OL J R

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The X-87B Cruise Basselope-- THE Ultimate Weapon in the arsenal of Homeland Security and only $52 million per round!

God speed, Capt. Cernan !

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Buzz Aldrin ( 86 )
Alan Bean ( 84 )
David Scott ( 84 )
John Young ( 86 )
Charles Duke ( 81 )
Harrison Schmidt ( 81 )

are left alive as of January 2017

It's a rare privilege to have grown up during a time where you could have witnessed men landing on the moon. My father worked at NASA during that time and Robert Crippen lived in my neighborhood and I used to mow his lawn when I was 14.
I had the fortune to meet most of these men at barbecues and I thought this was a normal thing.

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The Rocketaholic