posted 01-16-2017 10:57 PM               

Today we lost yet another hero. Gene Cernan and I met for the first time when we were selected for the third group of astronauts in November of 1963. We started our training together in January of 1964 and eventually worked together as the backup crew of Gemini 9. He was a Navy guy and I was Air Force so there was always a friendly dose of ribbing and trying to one up each other that continued to this day. We had the very interesting task of training together on the maneuvering unit – a jet pack like George Clooney used in the movie "Gravity", which was a fascinating project and was quite complicated. Unfortunately, NASA felt it was too risky so we weren't able to use it during our Gemini missions.

I left NASA before Gene's mission to the Moon on Apollo 17 but of course followed it closely with the rest of the world. He served the nation extremely well on his mission with Ron Evans and the first scientist astronaut, Jack Schmitt. It was the final mission to the Moon but our hopes had been that we would press forward and eventually be on Mars as the next destination. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened and Gene is the last person to step foot on another celestial body. He was the last man on the moon and he wasn't happy about that and continually stressed that he didn't want to be the last.

Gene was probably the strongest spokesman for astronauts for lunar travel and advocating a return to the moon. He made multiple trips to Washington to give testimony along with Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell to promote NASA and not losing our pioneering spirit. He wasn't really a Mars guy like me, but he cared deeply about continuing manned space exploration.

Us astronauts will always remember his cheerful and smiling approach to everything. With the passing of the First Man – Neil Armstrong, and the passing of the Last Man – Gene Cernan, it is up to us Middle Men to carry on spirit of Apollo into the future for our Nation and the world.

posted 01-17-2017 04:33 AM               

I was fortunate to interview Gene a couple of times at his office in Houston in the late 1980s, and more recently introduce him to an Autographica audience for a memorable presentation. He was especially helpful in detailing his Gemini 9 EVA and was always courteous and willing to answer questions in detail. I will remember him as a true gentleman, a great ambassador of the space program and strong supporter for a return to the Moon.

posted 01-17-2017 10:09 AM               

Well, within seconds of saying hello, he had his hand on my shoulder, we were laughing and it was like we were old friends. Of course we weren't, but he was kind enough to treat me as such and for that memory I am grateful.

posted 01-17-2017 01:05 PM               

'An outstanding crewmate': Gene Cernan, last man on the moon, remembered

The death of Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, elicited heartfelt remembrances from his fellow astronauts and those now working at NASA to follow in his footsteps.

"As commander of our December 1972 Apollo 17 mission, he was an outstanding crewmate," wrote Harrison Schmitt, who with Cernan were the last moonwalkers to explore the lunar surface. "Geno, I wish you had time for one more run in the [Lunar Module Simulator] before you leave. Have a good flight. Again, God Speed..."

posted 01-17-2017 01:17 PM               

One of the highlights was the opening of my new section called "The Moon" in my exhibition "Apollo and Beyond" at the Technik Museum Speyer, Germany. During his 5-day visit to Germany in June 2013, I organized the trip to Berlin as well as to Sinsheim and Speyer and was allowed to accompany him. I surprised him with some things that he had not yet experienced in his extraordinary and eventful life. I could tell countless stories, but that is not the right time now.

The many photos with him, there is one that is very special for me. He sits with me in my lunar rover on my lunar surface diorama "The Moon." I will retain a decent memory to him and he will always be part in my exhibition "Apollo and Beyond" in which he lives forever.

RIP my friend Gene on your last journey.

posted 01-17-2017 02:04 PM               

We are left with memories of a wonderful man and a true exploration pioneer. My thoughts are with Gene's family and friends and I know his name will live on in the history books long after the rest of us are gone.

posted 01-17-2017 04:49 PM               

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, Eugene Cernan will be honored during a remembrance ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, located inside Heroes & Legends.

posted 01-17-2017 06:17 PM               

I had encounter many times, last in my hometown of Milan, for the opening of the Space Museum. I rembember when Gene seeing me, hugged me and kidding with his Italian friend. Once in San Diego, he said to me: Why did you invite in Italy Charlie (Duke) and not me.

posted 01-17-2017 06:41 PM               

Family statement regarding service arrangements for Capt. Eugene A. Cernan

A funeral service for Capt. Eugene A. Cernan, who passed away Monday at the age of 82, will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston.

NASA Television will provide live pool video coverage of the service.

The family will gather for a private interment at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin at a later date, where full military honors will be rendered.