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From: Dumfries, VA, USA
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posted 01-16-2017 05:00 PM            

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Very sad news. I always admired him not only for the risks he took and missions he flew, but for the way he championed NASA and manned spaceflight throughout his life.

Another legend gone...

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From: Gardner, KS, USA
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From: Texas * Earth
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From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 01-16-2017 05:10 PM            

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Only just seen this terribly sad news. Absolutely devastated.

I had the good fortune to meet him once and the talk he delivered was wonderful, everyone there were spellbound at his speaking from the heart, it felt that we did the trip to the moon with him. He even came up to me afterwards and thanked me for thanking him.

He also returned his autobiography to me personalised and signed when I sent it. A great ambassador for space, the USA and human beings. Our thoughts are for his family and friends.

A true legend has passed.

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From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
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From: Brandon, Fl
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From: Bluffton IN USA
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From: Albany, Oregon
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From: Monticello, KY USA
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From: Wellington, New Zealand
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From: Lawrenceville, GA 30043
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Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004

posted 01-16-2017 06:27 PM               

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Another iconic explorer lost to history. Gene was always gracious, he signed many boxes of his books for free for me, that I gave away to kids at my school presentations.

My favorite story happened at the Sims-Hankow show in San Antonio. I brought 20 to 30 items for Gene to sign from other cS members. After I laid out all of the items to photograph with Gene, the look on his face was like he wished he was anywhere else. I take a few photos, then I yell at Gene over my camera "Hey Cernan, I just paid you $2000, do you want another $5 bucks for a smile?"

He started roaring with laughter, I got the greatest shot that was hysterical and every time I saw him after that, he'd ask where his $5 was.

A true gentleman who will be greatly missed by everyone.

Posts: 64
From: Chelmsford, MA
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From: Northwest Indiana
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Posts: 617
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Mar 2011

posted 01-16-2017 07:00 PM               

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...if we go back to the Moon and go on to Mars, you're going to get young people excited about something. The legacy of the Wright Brothers - space and aviation is a romance. The legacy is the fact that they stimulated the desire to dream in the hearts and minds of everyone who followed.

- Gene Cernan JSC Oral History 11 December 2007

The journey to the Moon took 3 days, but listen to Geno talk and he could transport you with him to the lunar surface in 3 seconds.

Ad Astra.

Posts: 227
From: Washington, DC USA
Registered: Dec 2006

Posts: 170
From: Tucson, Arizona
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-16-2017 07:03 PM               

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I had the pleasure of meeting Gene a few times while servicing the T-38 he was using back in the the day. He was an outstanding officer and very friendly to me and few of my fellow ramp rats. He actually remembered me long after my USAF days when I had a chance meeting back in Chicago many years after.

I have a few items he pasted along to me from the Apollo 17 mission. The Apollo 17 mission was one of my favorites because it had a real geologist aboard. A real loss. Godspeed, Gene and I thank you, sir!

Posts: 224
From: Riner, Virginia USA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted 01-16-2017 07:18 PM               

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My heart sank when a friend text me the news. My heroes as a young boy, teenager, young man, and even today have always been the astronauts during the 60s, 70s, and 80s with Gene Cernan at the very top. I loved his enthusiasm, loyalty, leadership qualities, dedication, seriousness, inspiration, and "Old School" test pilot/astronaut attitude. Even today when reading and rereading Gene Cernan's book, "Last Man on the Moon" I am still inspired by his words and will be throughout my life.

Aging is something we cannot control and as we have witnessed the past few years these heroes whom inspire all of us on the forum are coming to pass. I have been dreading this day for quite sometime and knew I would lose one of my biggest heroes one day. Those of you who had the opportunity to meet him in person, you were very lucky.

I usually simply type a "." on these types of post to pay respects but this one is very different and special to me. Thank you for your service and dedication to our great nation. You will be missed but NEVER forgotten.

I think back to words Gene Cernan said in the documentary movie "Last Man on the Moon" in the bonus features (cleaning out the garage) when he said, "When I leave this earth and go back to Heaven again." Well Gene, I say to you as you are truly touched by the hand of God, Welcome Home sailor.

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From: Cherry Hill, NJ
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From: Beacon, NY 12508
Registered: Dec 2014

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From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005

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

posted 01-16-2017 08:07 PM               

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Horrible news. I'm so glad that I got a chance to thank him in person for his previous through-the-mail signing of my copy of his book. As I told him then, I'm sure I'm just one of many, many persons whose days had been hugely brightened by his generosity. I feel a personal loss. My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.

Ad Astra, sir.

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From: Ontario, Canada
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From: Israel
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From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999

Posts: 384
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Aug 2012

posted 01-16-2017 09:20 PM               

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One of the true greats, an inspirational space advocate - he was the first astronaut I remember from childhood (Apollo XVII when I was 7), and I'll treasure meeting him at ASF and listening to some stories at the bar that Saturday (including a great one between him and fellow pilot Greg H. Johnson).

High flight!

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From: Montreal, Canada
Registered: Jul 2004

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From: Statesville, NC
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