Alan Bean, moon-walking astronaut and artist, dies aged 86

[Gerald]

Former US astronaut Alan Bean, who was the fourth man to walk on the Moon, has died in Texas aged 86, his family has said.

In later life he became an accomplished artist, producing paintings that were inspired by space.

His family said he had fallen ill two weeks ago in Indiana and died peacefully at a hospital in Houston.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44268960

Thanks for your service Sir.RIP

[Rockstar]

"Frequently on the lunar surface I said to myself, 'This is the Moon, that is the Earth. I'm really here, I'm really here!'" - Alan Bean


Those were some incredible days. Thanks for the memories Alan Bean.

[Mr Quatro]

Yes, RIP and thank you for your service ...

What! No Memorial Day threads?

[Highbury]

Alan Bean and Pete Conrad, the first crew that made space flight look fun.

From interviews I have read or seen on TV, and even his portrayal in "From the Earth to the Moon" by Dave Foley, he always seemed like someone who I would have loved to meet and have a talk with.

RIP Al Bean.

Side note: His paintings were VERY expensive before. I imagine the price just went to the moon!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

"Frequently on the lunar surface I said to myself, 'This is the Moon, that is the Earth. I'm really here, I'm really here!'" - Alan Bean


Those were some incredible days. Thanks for the memories Alan Bean.

Echoed

[Eichhörnchen]

I heard on the radio today that he fried the colour tv camera as he descended from the LEM because it was pointing at the sun, and this is thought in part to be a reason he strove to depict the moon so vividly in his paintings... as a kind of redress. And he succeeded. It was also said in the report that he used tools from the moon landing to manipulate his paint, also at times mixing some actual moon dust into it

[razark]

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

at times mixing some actual moon dust into it

Indeed he did.


There's a local hole-in-the-wall Italian place that has a lot of NASA memorabilia from the people that have visited. I think I might just go there for lunch tomorrow.




That large framed one in the center back wall is a painting donated by Bean.

[Onkel Neal]

The end of an era.

[Mike Abberton]

Thank you for your service Al Bean, a true hero.


The Apollo 12 episode of "From Earth to the Moon" is probably my favorite of the series.

Mike