Author
|
Topic: Space historian, author Rex Hall (1946-2010)
|
Dave Shayler Member Posts: 127 From: Halesowen, West Mids, UK Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 05-31-2010 10:19 AM
I have the very sad news from his wife Lynn of the passing of Rex this morning, 31st May 2010 at 10.05 a.m. from complications from cancer, which he had been suffering from for some years. He was 63 years old.Rex was a life long follower of human spaceflight and a world authority on the cosmonaut team. Rex had researched and discovered more about the Russian cosmonauts than some of them knew themselves, and I know that there are countless readers of this site that will have fond memories of his personality, humour, determination and work and his unselfish support of fellow researchers. The space community is a much sadder place without him and his like will not be seen again. On a personal note, I have known Rex since 1980 in a friendship which can only be described 'as close as any family member.' To me, he was almost an older brother with whom I have shared many happy times with Lynn, fellow BIS members and Bert Vis, especially during a memorable visit to the Cosmonaut Training Centre in 2003 and in cooperative writing ventures for the BIS, Springer-Praxis as well as through Astro Info Service across many years. This sad loss comes six months after the loss of Neville Kidger, another pioneering Soviet/Russian space sleuth. Rex, a former President of the British Interplanetary Society was a driving force in moving the BIS forward in recent years and was the regular chairman of the annual Soviet Technical Forum and in organising the appearance of many cosmonauts at the Autographica shows of the past 10 years. Professionally, his work in education support initially in London, but more recently across the country, earned him a well deserved MBE in 2003 for which he remained very humbled, but very proud. I am sure that many of you will wish to pass on the very best to his family and to recall fond memories of a very special friend, colleague and fellow FPSpacer. There could ever only be one Rex Hall... |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
|
posted 05-31-2010 10:29 AM
As a long-standing member and Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, I would like to associate myself with Dave's moving tribute to Rex, and to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow BIS members. This is very sad news for anyone with an interest in the exploration of space. |
paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:07 AM
. |
Steve Procter Member Posts: 1031 From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:08 AM
I am very shocked and saddened by the news of Rex' passing. I have been honoured to have had him as a friend for the past 10 years and he will be missed by all those who knew him both within our space community and beyond. Our thoughts are with Lynn at this time. |
FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:09 AM
I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Rex. He was one of the very few space researchers in the west with a personal, longstanding connection to the cosmonauts, and of immense assistance to many other researchers, myself included. His books, such as "The Rocket Men," "Russia's Cosmonauts," and "The First Soviet Cosmonaut Team" are all invaluable references and enjoyable reads. His time heading the British Interplanetary Society refreshed and reinvigorated the organization, in my opinion. I'll miss his personal messages and his work. I'm saddened to think of what great books we'll now never read because he was taken far too soon. |
randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:10 AM
. |
parg1 Member Posts: 16 From: Wales Registered: Dec 2007
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:11 AM
. |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:16 AM
Rex and Cosmonautics are synonymous. Dave's tribute says it all: this is a tragic, untimely and immeasurable loss. RIP Rex. |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:17 AM
I'm very sorry to hear this terrible news, Rex Hall wasn't someone I knew personally but I know he was held in very high regard both personally and proffesionally by those that did.A sad loss. |
Fezman92 Member Posts: 1031 From: New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:18 AM
. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:24 AM
. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:46 AM
I am deeply saddened to read of Rex's passing. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.I first learned of Rex through his writings nearly two decades before we had the opportunity to meet in-person but by then it felt like I was greeting an old friend. I was extremely grateful for his expert guidance, correspondence and contributions to collectSPACE over the years. The space history community has lost one of its leading, authoritative voices. |
KSCartist Member Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:46 AM
. |
ejectr Member Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:56 AM
. |
Michael Cassutt Member Posts: 358 From: Studio City CA USA Registered: Mar 2005
|
posted 05-31-2010 11:56 AM
This is sad news indeed. I began corresponding with Rex in 1982... for the next twenty years I was the pleased recipient of parcels filled with clippings or "bits" of space arcana from a variety of publications and sources.... all topped with a note or even long letter in Rex's distinctive hand. As the internet opened up other research venues, our trans-Atlantic postal exchanges dwindled, but we still stayed in touch. I had the great pleasure of finally meeting Rex (and Lynn) in London in April 2007... Rex treated my family and me to a memorable tour of the Southwark farmer's market and environs. He was a past president of BIS, a notable figure in education, a dear, dear man. |
dom Member Posts: 855 From: Registered: Aug 2001
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:00 PM
Even though I knew he had been ill recently I'm still shocked as I was due to meet him this Saturday at the BIS's Soviet Space forum.Rex really was an inspiration to space historians everywhere and will be missed. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:02 PM
What a tremendous loss to hear about the passing of Rex Hall. I have known Rex for probably two or three decades, met him on congresses and meetings many times, and stayed in contact with him over e-mail over the years. He was the unchallenged expert in Soviet cosmonautics in the West for years, always ready to share his tremendous knowledge, and - what is most important - a kind, modest, approachable and serious person. One fine gentleman and friend. We are mourning a great one. He will be very sorrowly missed. |
paul prendergast Member Posts: 429 From: crawley west sussex UK Registered: Apr 2004
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:15 PM
What a great shock and loss.my condolancies to Lynn and family he will be greatly missed.I had the pleasure to meet him on a regular basis at shows and book signings and he helped bridge the gap in space history by bring the Russian program into the main. He also was greatly to be praised for bring the Cosmonauts to the shows in the UK. RIP Rex you will be missed. |
NavySpaceFan Member Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:15 PM
. |
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:23 PM
Sadly I had the pleasure of meeting Rex and his wife Lynn only the once, a little over a year ago. But such was his manner it was as if we had been friends for an age.His enthusiasm for life was an inspiration and the world is a far poorer place for his passing. RIP Rex. A Gentleman to the core and a truly remarkable human being. My sympathies and prayers to Lynn and his family at this terribly sad time. |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:24 PM
I just received the email from Lynn telling me of his passing this AM. I will post more later, right now I just can't. |
MScherzi Member Posts: 80 From: California Registered: Apr 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:24 PM
What a sad day. Rex was a great guy, and I was just thinking I needed to drop him a "how are things?" note just a few days ago. |
SPACEFACTS Member Posts: 301 From: Germany Registered: Aug 2006
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:27 PM
. |
Neil DC Member Posts: 140 From: Middletown, NJ, USA Registered: May 2010
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:30 PM
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Rex's passing. He was one of the foremost Soviet/Russian human space flight historians and analysts of his time. He will be sorely missed for his knowledge of the subject, numerous writings and books. As well as his humour, generosity in encouraging others with the subject and amazing organisational skills.It was through reading his writings in Spaceflight back in the early 80's that I became interested in Soviet manned spaceflight and soon started attending the BIS forums which he became synonymous with. Through this we became friends and I feel honoured to have travelled with him and Bert Vis to Star city on several occasions, to enjoy its rich history and fill in many gaps of missing space history. We must have met most of the flown and unflown cosmonauts alive. Many fond memories of those times shared. Rex's legacy is the books and writings. He also loved to collect the space books, and signed photos and supported his writings with an amazing private library. He also had impeccable contacts and connections. I don't know where he found the time for it all with his work and private life. Our thoughts are with Lynn who supported him and his hobby tirelessly. Reading about the cosmonauts and collecting space stuff will not be the same. Rex, thanks for all the shared space experiences. We will miss you. |
ApolloAlex Member Posts: 390 From: Yeovil, England Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:46 PM
Sad news indeed, My wife and I had the great pleasure at the 2005 Autographica before the gala dinner to sit in the bar with both Rex and Lynn to which we chatted about the Russian space program, we then sat on a table with two gentleman that Rex had a integral part in bringing to the UK.A great loss, my thoughts are with Lynn and his family. |
nasamad Member Posts: 2121 From: Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2001
|
posted 05-31-2010 12:48 PM
Again, I am another one who is shocked and saddened by the passing of Rex. I can't claim to have known him, but always remember his kindness at BIS lectures and he always had a happy hello for me at Autographica events. Spaceflight magazine, the BIS and the many people he helped to educate are richer for having had his guidance. R.I.P Rex Hall. |
machbusterman Member Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
|
posted 05-31-2010 01:09 PM
I am shocked and saddened by the terrible news of Rex's passing. Rex had helped me so many times over the years with my Cosmonaut autograph collection and his untimely passing will be felt for a very long time indeed by the spaceflight community.He was the "go to guy" for the Cosmonauts. There will be a great many collectors who met Rex firstly at the Autographica shows.... the work he did in getting the Cosmonauts over to attend the shows is something I will forever be thankful for. My sincere condolences to Lynn, his family and friends. R.I.P. Rex. |
AstroAutos Member Posts: 803 From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 05-31-2010 01:09 PM
. |
Richard Easton Member Posts: 175 From: Winnetka, IL USA Registered: Jun 2006
|
posted 05-31-2010 01:13 PM
. |
chet Member Posts: 1506 From: Beverly Hills, Calif. Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 01:14 PM
. |
RMH Member Posts: 577 From: Ohio Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 05-31-2010 01:41 PM
. |
spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:00 PM
Shocking and saddening news. We saw Rex at Autographica only two weeks ago. He stopped by our stand a couple of times to chat before making his way back home to London. I too am lost for appropriate words. Our thoughts to Lynn and family at this most sad of times. God Bless Rex, the space community and indeed the wider world will be a different place now. |
Apollo-Soyuz Member Posts: 1205 From: Shady Side, Md Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:03 PM
. |
Spacefest Member Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:29 PM
. |
Boggs SpaceBooks Member Posts: 113 From: Anderson, Indiana Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:35 PM
. |
JohnPaul56 Member Posts: 180 From: Montclair, NJ, USA Registered: Apr 2010
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:47 PM
. |
JohnPaul56 Member Posts: 180 From: Montclair, NJ, USA Registered: Apr 2010
|
posted 05-31-2010 02:48 PM
. |
OLDIE Member Posts: 268 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 05-31-2010 03:16 PM
What a shock. I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of Rex. As a long standing member and Fellow of the BIS I knew him first only by name. Then at Autographica I met him for the first time - a charming and humble man. It was through the efforts of Rex and his wife that early Autographicas benefited from the appearances of so many Russian cosmonauts. The worlds of Cosmonautics, Astronautics and Education will miss him greatly. |
Frederic Janik Member Posts: 320 From: Helsinki, Finland Registered: Jul 2000
|
posted 05-31-2010 03:17 PM
. |
Mike Z Member Posts: 451 From: Ellicott City, Maryland Registered: Dec 2005
|
posted 05-31-2010 03:17 PM
It took me a while before I could post this. I am SO SO DEEPLY SADDENED over the passing of my very good friend Rex Hall. There was not a more caring, giving or kinder man than Rex. I knew Rex for 24 years. He told me of his illness years ago when he was first diagnosed and asked me to please keep it to myself. He told me that it was a very slow moving cancer which there was no cure.Besides being extremely knowledgeable about the then Soviet and later Russian Space Program, Rex was very dedicated to educating the inner city children of London which earned him the MBE award (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. He sent me photos of him receiving the medal from Prince Charles. You could see the deep honor in his eyes. Rex was SO SO GOOD to my son and me for so long! He told me of his illness at that time my son Craig had cancer too. We exchanged reports about him and Craig. Then when I had my heart attack Rex and Lynn couldn't do enough. Lynn too is a WONDERFUL lady!! One thing, Rex and Lynn never forgot my birthday or Christmas. They always sent the most beautiful and unusual cards from the Queens Collection of Fine Art. Rex made this world a better place to live!! We really NEED MORE Rex Halls! Our prayers go out to his wonderful wife Lynn, his family and friends. I am a much better person for knowing REX HALL MBE. It was a real honor to say Rex was a great friend and he will be deeply missed. |