Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Astronaut ~ Dead at 85

[airboatr]

I met Dr. Mitchell at KLNA.Lantana Airport a few years back.. I walked into the FBO office one day, I didn't know who he was by his appearance having not seen him for eons. I struck up a conversation with him about aircraft in a general way. Speaking of my love of flying. He mentioned he was at one time a naval aviator and test pilot, to wit I jokingly said , "Well, obviously you were a good test pilot", he chuckled a bit at my comment. After a few minutes, I started to put things together and realized I was speaking with the sixth man who walked on the moon.

He accommodated my request to have a photo with him and shared some experiences with me, all the while not telling me the reason he was there, was to pick up his son who was flying in. Or the fact his son Andy was dying.

When the plane taxied up in front of the FBO and Andy stepped out, I happened to catch Edgar expression seeing his son in his critical state, and it was as if, to him, the whole world disappeared, except for Andy, He wasn't the astronaut , the accomplished Dr..... he was at that moment, a father. . And the only thing that existed was his son.

That will forever be what I remember of the Sixth man who walked on the surface of the moon.

A father who loved his son.


Joe

[nigelb]

That is a very touching story Joe! Condolences to Dt. Mitchell's family and friends.

Nigel²

[Paul K]

I agree; a very poignant memory for you, Joe. What also interests me about Mitchell is the 'epiphany' he experienced as Apollo 14 headed back to Earth - an overwhelming feeling of being as one with the universe. It sometimes surprises me that more astronauts and cosmonauts haven't spoken of such thoughts and emotions. Maybe they just keep that sort of thing to themselves, but with Edgar, it was something which affected him profoundly.

Joe, thank you for sharing your recollections, and rest in peace Captain Edgar Mitchell USN

[airboatr]

this is the pic, ... unbelievable , the camera must have had a wobble when the shutter was pressed, it took the photo but the file was corrupted in the process
It did have enough info to create the thumbnail so I did see it on the preview screen, but later when I tried downloading the file to my pc I got an error saying the file format was not recognized.
I had to settle for a snapshot of the preview screen!
of course the photos I took of the others who ... seemingly crawled out of every bit of woodwork in the FBO, turned out great!!....







Edit

I stand corrected on his son's name. It was Adam. Not Andy.

[Airspeed]

RIP Dr. Mitchell.
Evidently a fine example of mankind, to get a posting to the Moon.
Life seems to have no respect, though....gone at 85.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Joe.

[airboatr]

There will be a Memorial service today at 1600 in the West Palm Beach science museum for Dr Mitchell... Through a fortuitous happenstance, I've been given an invitation to attend the event.

[Airspeed]

That's for being in the right place at the right time, Joe.
Say cheerio from us mere mortals.

[Paul K]

Quite an honour, Joe. I trust you'll tell us all about it.

[Nigel H-J]

An extremely touching if not emotional account of your meeting with Dr Edgar Mitchell and one memory that undoubtly will remain with you for years to come Joe.

Do tell us about the memorial service when you can.

Regards
Nigel.

[airboatr]

Hey fellas.

Just a quick post before I head off to work. It was a wonderful experience to say the least. Rain put a damper on the ceremony in a number of ways. Everyone had settled in their seats under the tent when it started pouring ! The rain caused technical issues, and the noise from the rain beating the canvass was so loud it drowned out the max setting on the amplifier- apparently it didn't go to eleven!
Anyway.
The rain finally stopped although we all had wet feet! But it was a great time that lasted late into the evening... At least for two that were in attendance. .. More about that later,..... perhaps


I did meet a number of family, friends and dignitaries, Fred Haise being one of them.




Not sure who the old guy is standing next to him..