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

posted 08-16-2017 03:28 PM               

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It with a heavy heart that I note the death of Kim Poor, a celebrated space artist, founder of Novaspace Galleries and Astronaut Central, Spacefest host and friend. He was 65. News of his death was first shared on Facebook.

Kim's artwork is found in textbooks, encyclopediae, planetarium shows and scientific presentations. His work has been commissioned by the National Air and Space Museum and is found in collections worldwide, including those of many astronauts and NASA personnel.

He headed up an American delegation to Moscow to display their work for the thirtieth anniversary of Sputnik. This resulted in an ongoing series of cooperative workshops between Russian and American artists. Their efforts culminated in a joint exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum.

I first met Kim while working with the National Space Society in the mid-1990s and he was a guiding voice in the development of this site from the beginning. His painting, "Morning Launch" of the space shuttle Columbia has long had a place on my wall.

In recent years, Kim was diagnosed with MJD Ataxia, a progressive neurological disease, that confined him to a wheelchair and limited his ability to speak. Even in face of those challenges, he continued to take an active role in bringing the space community together.

On behalf of everyone at collectSPACE and myself, sincere condolences to Sally, the Poor family and the staff at Novaspace.

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From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
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posted 08-16-2017 04:21 PM               

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Kim was a gentleman and an all round nice guy. I had the pleasure of speaking to him at Spacefest last year. My condolences to his close family and friends.

Ad Astra.

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From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
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From: Northampton UK
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From: Issaquah, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 08-16-2017 04:43 PM               

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.

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Jake Schultz - curator,
Newport Way Air Museum (OK, it's just my home)

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From: Sydney, Australia
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posted 08-16-2017 05:38 PM               

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Kim was one of the most unforgettable characters you could ever want to meet. His drive and enthusiasm in all that he did and accomplished is a wonderful legacy that many of us shared in and enjoyed. Kim (and Sally) opened so many wonderful doors for me and I will miss him. He may have been confined to a wheelchair in his latter years, but in our eyes he always stood tall.

My sincere condolences to Sally and the family.

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Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 08-16-2017 06:39 PM               

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I met the staff at the Bean and Cernan book signings, and I have very good memories of both.

My condolences to Novaspace.

Posts: 551
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
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From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 08-16-2017 07:27 PM               

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Ad astra, Kim. You left an amazing legacy, so thank you.

My condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers. He will be very deeply missed by many people.

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From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 08-16-2017 07:50 PM               

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Brutal news, just brutal

.

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posted 08-16-2017 08:33 PM               

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May Kim now rest in easy peace. He was suffering as he lost his ability to function in everyday life. Still he and Sally bravely soldered on with their business, with Spacefest and their personal lives right to the end.

Kim was a wonderful guy with an artist's talent and soul. I think that those of us who attended Spacefest over the years saw how Kim handled his fight with his disease. We also saw how Sally loved and cared for him.

I will miss Kim. While I can think of so many stories and times of how he helped me with a project or two (or many), I will state that he was a guiding spirit for me in understanding space art. He and Sally made it possible for us to meet the men who journeyed into space and to the Moon.

Bless you Sally, because you cared so much for your husband. Go in peace Kim, you will be missed.

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