Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001

posted 10-04-2004 07:11 PM               

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That's very sad news to go to bed on, my thoughts are with his family.

For what it's worth, I'm glad that the Burbank, California autograph show offered a recent opportunity for Gordo to have it reaffirmed once again that what he achieved in his lifetime still matters to a lot of people.

Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 10-04-2004 07:29 PM            

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That's very sad news.

He was a very kind and gracious person, and will surely be missed. Meeting him in Burbank last month was an honor. My prayers go out to his family.

Posts: 147
From: Leesburg, VA USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 10-04-2004 07:34 PM               

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Very sad news indeed, but what a joy and a thrill it was to meet him last month in Burbank. He certainly looked weak and fragile, but I had no idea he was in such bad shape. Hopefully he passed quickly and peacefully.

As was mentioned above, at least he got to experience one last big outpouring of affection from the general public in his final month of life. Not coincidentally, he passed on the 47th anniversary of the beginning of the space age.

Posts: 400
From: Union, New Jersey
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 10-04-2004 07:43 PM               

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Sigh. Sad, very sad news indeed.

One of my heroes.

Posts: 1337
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 10-04-2004 07:50 PM               

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A magic Mercury moment at the Astronaut Hall of Fame dinner last May.

I was waiting behind young space fan (about age 8) at Col. Cooper's table to hopefully get an autograph. After the youngster was done, I asked the youngster to ask Gordo, "Who's the best pilot you ever saw?" In a quiet and weakened voice, Gordo replied, "... (you know)"

To hear it out of Gordo's mouth was so memorable. And magic.

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 10-04-2004 07:51 PM               

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Oh no. I sat next to Gordo and his wife at the Burbank dinner and his sense of humour was still very sharp. Like the other Mercury guys, a warm, charming and understated man. I'm so glad to have met him.

Farewell Gordo.

Posts: 72
From: Yacolt WA USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-04-2004 08:03 PM               

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Looking out at the sky, my eyes fill with tears at this news. Godspeed, Gordo, you are loved and admired.

My sad regards to the family.

Posts: 340
From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA
Registered: Aug 2002

Posts: 53
From: Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2004

Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002

Posts: 721
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 10-04-2004 08:24 PM               

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I'm deeply saddened

Gordo Cooper was the astronaut I had most hoped to meet on my first trip out next year. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, colleagues and friends.

"There's one more star in the sky tonight." Godspeed.

Posts: 551
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-04-2004 08:29 PM            

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I had the priveledge of last meeting Gordon Cooper at the Astronaut Hall of Fame dinner in May. I have had the honor of meeting Col. Cooper on several other occasions over the past several years and he was always gracious in person.

I was shocked to hear of his passing on the radio while driving home from work. Godspeed and good tailwinds Colonel.

Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 10-04-2004 08:48 PM               

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So sad to hear. He was quite nice to me as well. I met him three times. Once at a target appearance, once at a book signing, and lastly at Burbank.

God speed GC.

Posts: 23
From: Memphis, TN
Registered: Apr 2004

Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

Posts: 201
From: Duluth,Ga.
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 10-04-2004 09:16 PM               

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Pete Everest and now Gordo... we've lost yet another true pioneer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families.

Godspeed Gordon Cooper!

Do you reckon Brian Binnie felt the presence of someones' spirit flying with him today?! Pete Conrad's waiting to see Gordo, too!

Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009

Posts: 245
From: Montreal, Canada
Registered: Jul 2004

Posts: 503
From: Highland Heights, KY
Registered: Feb 2003

Posts: 135
From: Kansas City, MO USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 10-04-2004 09:59 PM               

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What a great astronaut and man....

May the wind be at your back Gordo.

Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 10-04-2004 10:06 PM            

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This is profoundly sad news to hear. Gordo had been helping Colin Burgess and me on a space history book project, and had been very gracious with extensive interviews. When I saw him last at the Burbank event he looked healthier and livelier than he had for some time, and was very helpful in wrapping up one or two final questions we had for him. Colin was going to see him again in England, but now that will never be. His contributions to the book will now be all the more important, and cherished.

Despite being in his seventies, Gordo never lost the demeanour of a coltish teenager; when at Burbank we were planning to re-enact a gotcha on Dee O'Hara, his eyes lit up and he sported a mischievous grin - his adventuresome spirit never left him. Yet he was also one of the most contemplative and peaceful guys I have ever met. I'm grateful for the hours I spent having lunch with him in Ventura, and to spend a weekend watching the "Mercury 3" in action in Burbank. His widow Suzi is a lovely lady and was a wonderful companion to him, and my thoughts are with her today.

Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002

Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 10-04-2004 10:14 PM               

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Gordo took a photo at Burbank with my 8 year old niece on his lap. I will cherish it, as will she, in years to come.

We kept joking that he wanted to steal my silver sharpie all day. I will always remember those laughs.

Godspeed, Gordon Cooper.

Posts: 464
From: Issaquah, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2002

Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 10-04-2004 10:24 PM            

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At the Burbank show I noticed that there was a break in the action around his table while I was there and I had the opportunity to tell him that I thought that there was no one who deserved to have walked on the Moon more than him.

A couple of other observations on whether any of the other Mercury astros could have flown his mission after most of the systems had failed. While I admited that they may have, he did fly it. His only comment: Maybe I got lucky.

So anyway, let these guys know what you think when you see them, you may not get another chance.

I am especially glad not only to have met him (twice), but to have had the opportunity to get some wonderful items signed by him for other people. I know those items will be held a little dearer now.

Gordo had a good run, I am glad he got to do as much as he did in his long life.

Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 10-04-2004 10:27 PM               

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How sad it is that Gordo is gone, and that the Mercury 7 is down to only three.

Does anyone know where condolences can be sent?

Thank you, Gordo, and Godspeed.

Posts: 95
From: N. California
Registered: Nov 2003

Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004

posted 10-04-2004 10:52 PM               

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My condolences to his wife & daughters. This true hero gave this country a reason to be very proud of him. He lived a great life, he made the most of his time here and we should all hope to make the contributions to this world that he did.

All of us at Burbank were very fortunate to meet, speak to and get one last photograph with the best pilot we've ever seen.

Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001

Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-04-2004 11:20 PM               

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What terrible and saddening news.

My sincerest wishes of sympathy for his family — what a loss for them, and for America, that this true pioneer has passed away.

Posts: 1067
From: Leawood, Kansas USA
Registered: Oct 2003

Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003

Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 10-05-2004 12:33 AM               

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When I stepped up to his table at Burbank, I snapped to attention and said, "Private Fifth Class Don Sturm requesting your autograph, sir!" We didn't talk too much, but this got a big, toothy grin from him. (I then told him how much I enjoyed his book, and how I found that particular story to be one of my favorite parts.) I'll treasure that memory forever. I'm glad I got the chance.

As others have said, Godspeed Gordo Cooper. My prayers and condolences go to his family.

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

Posts: 573
From: Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 10-05-2004 01:48 AM               

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Godspeed Gordon Cooper.

The best pilot you ever saw.

Sadly missed.

Posts: 1397
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-05-2004 03:34 AM               

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One more reason to remember October 4...

Vale GC

Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004

posted 10-05-2004 06:20 AM               

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Very sad to learn of Gordo's passing. I'd never met the man but was looking forward to this weekend.

Godspeed Gordo... RIP... Hope you have fun with Gus, Deke, Al and Pete... racing those 'Vette's on the great highways in heaven.

Posts: 390
From: Yeovil, England
Registered: Oct 2004