posted May 07, 2007 12:17 PM               

I didn't want this moment to pass without acknowledging Wally's contribution to my company and the livelihood of myself and my family. When I was starting up Apogee Books the idea of starting a "space book" company was a pretty tough proposition. I was an outsider with absolutely no contacts whatsoever within the space community, history or otherwise. I thought that I might be able to bring something moderately different to the table, and from the position of a layman, perhaps I might be able to parse some of the complexities of space flight to the general public. This decision was precipitated by a direct request to me from Buzz Aldrin to "do a book" to honor his Apollo 8 buddies. Buzz made that request to me at a dinner in Los Angeles to honor the crew of Apollo 7. As it turned out, Wally couldn't get there that night. So all the attention was showered on Walt Cunningham.

Once Apogee had managed to get two or three space books under our belts, some of the history and space community started to notice (and even appreciate) what we were doing, but it would not be until seven months after our first space book that I found myself running into Wally at the Cape. I asked him if he would be interested in doing an interview for a book on Sigma 7 to which he immediately replied, "How much did Buzz charge you?" I replied, "nothing." With a smirk right across his face he said, "Then I guess I'd better do it for free too." Those were his first words to me—a total stranger—leaning over the ropes to shake hands with him. A joke...

He was as good as his word, and then some. We spent the day together later that year at Wallyworld (San Diego Air & Space Museum) and from that day on Wally worked freely and tirelessly to help us. He went on to do books on Gemini 6 and Apollo 7 with us, before he joined forces with Ed Buckbee just over a year ago to co-author "The Real Space Cowboys". Wally spent much of the last two years of his life running around the country with Ed, signing books and putting smiles on faces. We spent a hilarious day on the Apogee booth last year with Wally and Ed in New Jersey that I will never forget. The conversation revolved around whether all in attendance were "turtles" and at least one person lost a bottle of wine to Wally for not responding correctly.

I'm not a qualified historian, scientist or engineer, just a book publisher. But Wally Schirra made me feel welcome to the space community in a way that gave me the courage to continue with Apogee. He was a hero, a comedian, and a gentleman and I will always be eternally grateful that I crossed paths with him. We at Apogee will miss him enormously.

All the best to you all

posted May 07, 2007 02:54 PM               

Wally touched people young and old.

posted May 08, 2007 10:23 PM               

I even gave us cS'rs a plug.

My 7 minutes of fame. I'm glad it was discussing Wally.

posted May 09, 2007 08:58 PM               

I'm glad I got a chance to meet Wally and to talk with him, and for those of you who are on the fence about attending one of the events where these guys are attending--don't wait!

I'm glad I got my Turtle card that was signed by him--not because of any added dollar value (which I couldn't care less about)--but because it will be treasured for the rest of my life.

I sent around a little email tribute to Wally at work today, with a photo of him and me at the Burbank show and a few comments. The passing of these guys is a huge loss to the world that is not being recognized as much as it should (except in forums like this one). I think we should strive to make it as personal as possible.

I'm glad I have this forum to share these thoughts. Thanks for being there, everybody.

Ad Astra!

posted May 12, 2007 09:03 AM               

Page 9 of this PDF.

Notice the name of Wally's Mercury flight.

posted May 12, 2007 09:13 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by divemaster:
Notice the name of Wally's Mercury flight.

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posted May 12, 2007 07:12 PM               

Plus you gotta love the fact that they published the obit with an article on all you need to know of bankruptcy.

posted May 13, 2007 12:05 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by tncmaxq:
The article said the Apollo 1 crew, consisting of Walter Schirra, Walter Cunningham, and Don Eisele were killed in 1967. I called the paper to tell them Schirra and Cunningham were very much alive at that time, and the next week they printed a correction.

I wish I had thought to bring a copy of that article to the autograph show the following May when I met Wally for the first time. Maybe he would have gotten a laugh out of it.

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posted May 13, 2007 01:58 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by tncmaxq:
Have any funeral or memorial arrangements been announced? I wondered if perhaps he was to be buried at Arlington Cemetery. I would consider going, if there were a public ceremony.

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Has there been any announcements made regarding Wally's final resting place?

posted May 13, 2007 03:12 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Glint:
Has there been any announcements made regarding Wally's final resting place?

On edit, I found the following link after posting the question above.

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It's a funeral. Autograph seeking would be mighty tacky and disrespectful.

posted May 14, 2007 07:23 AM               

Knowing now that there will be a private family service on the 21st, I'm going to take a minute at 12.15 UTC that day to do that. I'd invite cS members who want to to join me to take that minute as well. I think there is something special about knowing that you are sharing the same moment in time with others who are sharing similar feelings regardless of where you may be in the world.

posted May 16, 2007 08:09 AM               

quote:

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Wally Schirra was one of those Americans who helped move our species forward by cheating death -- in jets, in capsules sitting atop the controlled explosions called rockets, in spacecraft sailing across the void of space. He will always be remembered, but now that death has collected that bet, let's celebrate him one more time and wish God's Speed to Wally Schirra.

— Tom Hanks

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posted May 17, 2007 11:48 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by divemaster:
Walt Cunningham has put up a very nice eulogy to Wally on his web site.

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posted May 21, 2007 10:40 PM               

quote:

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Three former astronauts remembered colleague Walter "Wally" Schirra as a top-notch aviator, national hero and inveterate prankster Monday at a memorial service at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

"Wally, I thank you for what you have done for me," said former Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter. "And I thank you for what you have done for the nation and the science of space flight."

Schirra, who died May 3 in San Diego at 84, was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and the fifth American in space. More than 200 friends, family members and former colleagues attended the private service, held overlooking San Diego harbor under overcast skies.

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posted May 22, 2007 06:06 PM               

My Wally is happy landing in the larger ocean.

posted May 22, 2007 08:40 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by FFrench:
So - please join Dee O'Hara and Scott Carpenter in raising a glass in tribute to Wally Schirra...

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posted May 24, 2007 02:03 PM            

It was taken two weeks before his passing by Boeing engineer Stan Barauskas at the 'Bald Eagles' reunion luncheon held by and for the North American retirees, at the Proud Bird restraunt near Los Angeles Airport, a couple of hundred feet from where the old headquarters of N.A.A. was in the 1960's.

This was where the P-51's, F-86 and the F-100's were built and where the astronauts flew in with their T-38's before going to Downey to work with their spacecraft. Wally 'crashed' the luncheon to say hello to all his old friends that built his Spacecraft 101/ Apollo 7.

Stan took the photo, and 20 minutes later presented Wally with the large print for him to sign- Wally was amazed!

Stan and the Aerospace Legacy Foundation wanted to share this with all of you.