posted 04-29-2005 10:16 AM              

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As I can't get to my computer this weekend, I'd like to post this today. Scott Carpenter celebrates his 80th birthday this Sunday, May 1, 2005.

If you see him at the Astronaut Hall of Fame this weekend, wish him a Happy Birthday from you and me.

One of the thrills of my lifetime was my wife and I having dinner last fall with Scott last fall at Pasadena.

A nicer smarter guy you'll ever meet. Very physically and mentally active. One of the cream of the cream although he'd never admit it-just one of the guys.

Thank you Scott for the sacrifices and duty to our country and the world as a Naval Aviator (notice I got that right), an astronaut, and an extraordinary citizen, son, Father, and Husband.

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posted 04-29-2005 04:27 PM               

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Happy Birthday Cmd. Carpenter.

One of the most pleasant astronauts I've had the honour in meeting. Have a great weekend.

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posted 04-29-2005 05:01 PM               

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May I add my congrats to Scott Carpenter on this his 80th Birthday. Such a nice, kind, smartly dressed guy - we had met on several occasions throughout the weekend at the Coventry Autographica last year. Seem to meet along the corridors of the hotel ,must have remembered me - "Good morning again," or "Good afternoon," Scott said.

His personality, kindly signing autographs, for those fans that waited in line, was outstanding. Thank you friend. The book - For Spacious Skies - is delightful. Great reading.

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posted 04-29-2005 06:34 PM               

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I'm sure Scott is approaching his 80th birthday with mixed emotions, and something of a wry smile. Nobody I know likes passing those ten-year hurdles in life, but after all he's only a kid when compared to John Glenn (84) and Wally Schirra (82). If Al Shepard was still around he'd probably say something like "C'mon, Scott; light those 80 candles!"

Hope it's a wonderful and memorable day for Scott and all the family.

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posted 04-30-2005 03:43 PM               

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Such a warm and friendly GENTLEMAN, I feel absolutely honoured to have met him.

Many happy returns Scott... you're definately one with "The Right Stuff"!!

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posted 04-30-2005 08:29 PM               

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Indeed, best wishes to Cmdr Carpenter and his family for his birthday. A fine gentleman.

Rough calculation gives him 46,746,898,685 miles traveled in orbit around the Sun, plus his three orbits around the Earth.

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posted 05-01-2005 01:10 AM               

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Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Scott!
Happy Birthday to Youuuuu!

Happy 80th! And many more!

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posted 05-01-2005 06:18 AM               

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Thanks for everything you have done for us and our country.

May you enjoy and experience all the good things life has to offer, still.

Happy birthday Mr. Scott Carpenter. You have been and remain my hero.

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posted 05-01-2005 06:54 AM               

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A couple of years ago I asked my parents, who were both in their eighties, to name any of the astronauts they remembered from the 60's. My mother quickly said "John Glenn" (no surprise there), but my Dad quickly chimed in "Scott Carpenter"... followed by a long period of silence.

I'll always remember that moment. Scott Carpenter had made such an impression on my Dad that he was remembered more than the first person to walk on the Moon.

Happy Birthday, Scott Carpenter.

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posted 05-09-2005 01:58 PM            

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I had the sincere pleasure of meeting Scott Carpenter at this years AHoF Induction ceremony. What a really nice guy, who seemed geuinely interested in meeting all the people there. He even autographed a copy of his book for me.

We discussed his egress out the top of his Mercury capsule on landing. He explained the steps involved, about removing part of the instrument panel, detaching a bulkhead and then pushing out the parachute container, before squeezing out. With all modesty he commented, "with practise you could get it done in a minute and a half!"

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posted 05-01-2006 05:25 AM               

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According to the Florida Today our first astronaut/aquanaut is 81 today.

Kris - please give your Dad our best wishes.

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posted 05-01-2006 07:15 AM               

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I was reading "For Spacious Skies" again this weekend. It is seriously becoming my favorite astronaut biography!! I believe KC obtained such a fluid, terrific writing style from her grandmother Toye.. her letters were incredibly well written.

Happy Birthday to "Buddy"....

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posted 05-01-2006 04:40 PM               

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Happy birthday to Scott Carpenter, who is 81 years old today.

He still inspires as all during early 60's and wish Scott a good day on his 81st birthday with his families around him today.

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posted 05-03-2006 07:56 PM               

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My Mom might well make it to 81, but I know I NEVER will!

Happy Birthday!

Cmdr. Carpenter was here at the Penn-Harris-Madison school corporation planetarium several/many years ago. He sat here and signed and signed and signed and took time to talk to everyone and shake hands and it is one of my best memories of all remember him seated in that room... taking time to talk to you!

God Bless you to have a VERY long (as long as it is healthy!) life!

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posted 05-31-2006 07:15 PM            

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Last year I got to wish Scott a Happy Birthday in person, but work obligations kept me from attending the Hall of fame gala this year.

(Newcomer here - had always been aware of collectSPACE but thought it was just a 'swap shop' for memorabilia and such -- just recently discovered this nice board, with so many folks of note! Of course, I know SCE To AUX as another oceanographic electronics guy who's (ahem) somewhat younger than I!)

KC, hope you see this...

I worked with your Dad on the Man In The Sea training program in Key Largo about 10 years ago (so I happen to have a couple great snapshots of him with his 70th birthday cake.... seems like just yesterday.) Too bad that Program never quite caught on and made it into the black, or we'd all still be doing it, I'm sure. Sure was great to hang out with folks like Scott and "Uncle" Bob Barth! We didn't make any money, but we sure had fun!

Few years later I was the on-board electrics guy for NASA's Scott Carpenter Space Analog Station - another program with great merit but limited success. You know, that thing was designed to be towed around to schools as part of NASA's Outreach educational programs but just as we got it together all funding was cut!

...And, in one of those 'small world' things- I guess you have a guy there in Denver (don't know his name) who does some yard & maintenance work for you- who did the same for Martha Lee Leslie around the corner on Corona St. until her passing a couple years ago. Martha Lee was a wonderful lady- my best friend and 'adopted big sis' for over 30 years- sure miss her!

So - give my best to the Dynamic Pioneer (is that a new nickname? I don't recall it ever being used in Key Largo) and tell him I've gotten lots of mileage out of his stories - like the Shelby Mustang and the six snakebite kits... and the shark repellor that worked equally well whether the switch was in the ON or OFF position!

He'll remember me as the guy who set up the comm link for him to talk from Jules Undersea to STS-69 celebrating 30 years since his first call from inner to outer space!