NASA Astronaut Dick Gordon Has Died At Age 88
Source: WBUR
November 07, 2017
Russell Lewis
Astronaut Dick Gordon who flew to the moon but never got a chance to walk on the surface has died at his California home at age 88, according to NASA.
NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot said, "Dick will be fondly remembered as one of our nation's boldest flyers, a man who added to our own nation's capabilities by challenging his own. He will be missed."
Gordon never thought he would be a pilot — let alone an astronaut who would be just one of 24 people to fly to the moon. In fact, as a young boy, born during the Great Depression in 1929, he actually dreamed of being a priest or even a professional baseball player.
It wasn't until he entered Navy flight school that he first touched an airplane. But he knew right then that flying high and going fast were his life's callings. "Once I found out what that airplane could do for me or I could do for it, it was love at first sight," he said.
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Read more: http://www.wbur.org/npr/517135258/nasa-astronaut-dick-gordon-has-died-at-age-88
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He was given a wonderful portrayal in From The Earth To The Moon as a fun-loving astronaut enjoying exploring the moon with his two best friends, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean.
Thank you.
RIP - fly away.
Thirty-five stories tall, full of explosive fuel. Riding in that tiny Apollo capsule at the top of all of that. There are very few of them left of those 24.
Raise a candle for them all.