RSS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2004
Contact: Linn LeBlanc
321-455-7011
LinnLeBlanc@astronautscholarship.org
Gordon Cooper Remembered by Fellow Astronauts, Foundation
Fellow Mercury astronauts and Astronaut Scholarship Foundation board
members reflected today on the passing of Gordon "Gordo" Cooper,
77, who died this morning at his home in Ventura, California of
cardiac arrest.
Former U.S. Senator John Glenn said, "Gordo's final launch came as a shock, because the last time Annie and I were with him, his health seemed to have improved. There are thousands of memories from our early space days. Gordo was one of the most straightforward people I have ever known. What you saw was what you got. Pride in doing a great job, whatever his assignment, was his hallmark. You could always depend on Gordo. It's hard to believe that he will no longer be with us in person. I know he'll be with us in spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Suzie and his family."
Walter "Wally" Schirra said, "We seven were bonded like brothers, maybe even closer if that's possible. Gordon backed me up on my Mercury flight which went very well. In turn, I backed him on his flight, which went equally as well. He now has joined Gemini crewmate, the late Pete Conrad, in orbit."
Scott Carpenter said, "This is truly the passing of a beloved member of a unique fraternity. We'll all miss him."
In 1984, along with his fellow Mercury astronauts Carpenter, Glenn, Schirra and the late Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton and friends Henri Landwirth and William Douglas, Cooper established the Mercury 7 Foundation (now the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation) to provide scholarships to college student pursuing engineering and science degrees. Most recently Cooper participated in an "Astronauts on the Mississippi" riverboat cruise with Schirra, Carpenter, Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden and comedian Bill Dana to raise funds for the organization.
"The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and our country have lost a true patriot and pioneer this morning. As one of the first astronauts ever selected in the Mercury Program, Gordon Cooper was a friend and inspiration to all of his fellow astronauts. We will think of him and miss him often in the years ahead, " said Skylab and Space Shuttle astronaut Owen Garriott, ASF Chairman.
Family members have asked that donations be made to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation at 6225 Vectorspace Blvd., Titusville, FL 32780, www.AstronautScholarship.org or call 321-455-7011.
Plans for a public memorial service are pending.