Obituaries

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
Last surviving Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham dies at 90

Last surviving Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham dies at 90​


Walter Cunningham looks out a window from a spaceship
Image source, NASA
By Max Matza
BBC News

US astronaut Walter Cunningham, the last surviving member of the first Nasa mission to ever broadcast live TV from orbit, has died at the age of 90.
Apollo 7 was an 11-day manned mission in 1968 that tested the ability to dock and rendezvous in space. But the crew also won an Emmy for their broadcast.
It paved the way for the moon landing by Apollo 11 less than a year later.
Nasa confirmed Cunningham's death, and said that he was "instrumental to our Moon landing's program success".
A family representative said he died at a hospital in Houston on Tuesday from natural causes "after a full and complete life".
"We would like to express our immense pride in the life that he lived, and our deep gratitude for the man that he was - a patriot, an explorer, pilot, astronaut, husband, brother, and father," the Cunningham family said in a statement shared by Nasa, the US space agency.

"The world has lost another true hero, and we will miss him dearly."
Cunningham was born in Creston, Iowa, and went on to earn a masters degree in physics from the University of California in Los Angeles. While working as a civilian at the time, he was one of three astronauts chosen for the first manned spaceflight in the Apollo programme.
From left: Captain Walter Schirra, Walter Cunningham, and Donn Eiseke.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
From left: Captain Walter Schirra, Walter Cunningham, and Donn Eisele
As lunar module pilot for Apollo 7, he was accompanied by Navy Captain Walter Schirra and Air Force Major Donn Eisele.
He had previously served in the US Navy and Marines and flew 54 missions in a fighter jet over Korea, retiring at the rank of colonel.
After retiring from Nasa in 1971, he became a public speaker and radio host. He also became an outspoken denier of human-caused climate change, despite the consensus from scientists that humans have contributed to warmer average temperatures on Earth.
In an interview for Nasa in 1999, he described his mindset during his time as an astronaut.

"I'm one of those people that never really looked back," he said.
"All I remember is just kind of keeping my nose to the grindstone and wanting to do the best I could as - I didn't realize at the time, but that was because I always wanted to be better prepared for the next step," he continued.
"I've always been looking to the future. I don't live in the past."
Astronaut Walter Cunningham seen through the window of the Spacecraft 012 Command Module during an altitude chamber test in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building, Merritt Island, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 30th December 1966.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Walter Cunningham seen through a spacecraft window during tests in 1966

 

nivek

As Above So Below

Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Legendary British guitarist passes away after 'suddenly' contracting bacterial meningitis - weeks after finishing tour with Johnny Depp

Jeff Beck, who just weeks ago finished touring with Johnny Depp (together middle), has died 'peacefully', his agent revealed on Wednesday. His family shared the heartbreaking news on his Twitter page along with a picture of the star on stage with his trademark shades and guitar. His death comes just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished a transatlantic tour with Depp as they promoted their debut album '18'. The pair became close friends in recent years and were seen drinking out together late last year. Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera. He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Legendary British guitarist passes away of bacterial meningitis

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Rick Hunter

Celestial
Jeff Beck was one of those guys who was an absolute legend in his field but never sold much music or got much airplay. He did it his way, and that is quite commendable.
 

nivek

As Above So Below

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, DIES after suffering cardiac arrest: Mom Priscilla confirms the news saying 'my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us' after she rushed to her hospital bedside

Lisa Marie Presley dead at 54 after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54. Her death was confirmed in a statement from her mother, Priscilla, who said: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. he was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.' On Thursday, paramedics were called to Presley's home after receiving a 911 call about a female who had suffered a 'full cardiac arrest' at the residence.

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michael59

Celestial

Lisa Marie Presley, 54, DIES after suffering cardiac arrest: Mom Priscilla confirms the news saying 'my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us' after she rushed to her hospital bedside

Lisa Marie Presley dead at 54 after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54. Her death was confirmed in a statement from her mother, Priscilla, who said: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. he was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.' On Thursday, paramedics were called to Presley's home after receiving a 911 call about a female who had suffered a 'full cardiac arrest' at the residence.

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I wonder if vaccinations were involved. Healthy 54 year old women don't usually suffer full cardiac arrest.

RIP Lisa Marie. :confused:
 

nivek

As Above So Below

David Crosby dead at 81: Singer-songwriter and founding member of influential '60s rock bands The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash - passes away after a 'long illness'

David Crosby dead at 81: Crosby, Stills & Nash singer-songwriter passes away after a 'long

Iconic musician David Crosby has died at the age of 81. The member of the band the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash died Thursday 'after a long illness,' his wife Jan Dance told Variety. 'It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,' she said in the statement. 'He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. She continued: 'His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. 'At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.'

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wwkirk

Divine

David Crosby dead at 81: Singer-songwriter and founding member of influential '60s rock bands The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash - passes away after a 'long illness'

David Crosby dead at 81: Crosby, Stills & Nash singer-songwriter passes away after a 'long'long

Iconic musician David Crosby has died at the age of 81. The member of the band the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash died Thursday 'after a long illness,' his wife Jan Dance told Variety. 'It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,' she said in the statement. 'He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. She continued: 'His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. 'At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.'

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Excellent singer songwriter. RIP
 

Rick Hunter

Celestial
Given how much Crosby abused himself over the years I'm surprised he made it this long. Watch their performances from the early 80's, he is totally spaced out.
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
We are saddened to hear of the passing of someone very special to our hearts, for very obvious reasons. Our band’s namesake, Mr. Marshall Tucker, passed away peacefully yesterday morning at the age of 99. Though he was never a member of our band, we wouldn’t be here today without his historic name. In the early days when we were rehearsing in an old warehouse in Spartanburg, we found a keychain inscribed with his name. We needed a name asap… and the rest is history! Marshall was blind since birth but amazingly could play the heck out of the piano. He always said his talent was simply God-given. He tuned pianos in South Carolina for decades. We are thankful for Mr. Marshall Tucker and the life he lived! Sending blessings to his wife and family.

God Bless,
The Marshall Tucker BandFB_IMG_1674334711013.jpg
 
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