Posts: 2915 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 05-04-2010 04:07 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I was present for another telling of the same story and had a chance to see the watch -- it was a commemorative edition produced after the moon landing (Neil's watch is on display at the National Air and Space Museum).
I am glad that Robert just responded. Guenter did not have the original Omega lunar Speedmaster that Armstrong wore, he did in fact, get a replica. But Guenter never said anything to me about the watch coming from Armstrong.
nojnj Member
Posts: 503 From: Highland Heights, KY Registered: Feb 2003
posted 05-04-2010 09:44 PM
Just found out... Godspeed. My prayers go out to family and friends. Very sad indeed.
marshallspacerx Member
Posts: 15 From: Conway, AR Registered: Oct 2006
posted 05-04-2010 09:58 PM
He was kind. I can think of no better way to be remembered.
marshallspacerx Member
Posts: 15 From: Conway, AR Registered: Oct 2006
posted 05-05-2010 12:44 AM
Guenter's best VIP:
Lou Chinal Member
Posts: 1306 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
posted 05-05-2010 05:50 AM
The last man to shake hands with the astronauts and smile at the monkeys.
rocketJoe Member
Posts: 103 From: Huntsville, AL USA Registered: Jul 2001
posted 05-05-2010 01:43 PM
Enjoyed getting to see Guenter at the recent Apollo 13 anniversary event at KSC in April. He was a true Gentleman and enjoyed an amazing career. My condolences to his family.
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted 05-05-2010 01:51 PM
...I guess Guenter got me, in front of all of you!
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 05-05-2010 03:51 PM
Looks like Guenter got me too. Maybe twice within a few minutes. At 2004's Air & Space Show in Titusville he told me a story about how John Young gave him one of his lapel pins, straight off of his jacket. Guenter said that he decided to make into a ring, which he showed me.
He then showed me his watch. Guenter seemed a bit hesitant to tell me the full story but said that someone had brought it back from the Moon after the first landing and that I could probably figure out on my own which astronaut gave it to him.
Now I know the real story about the watch, but what about the lapel ring? Did Guenter "get" me with that one too?!
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2915 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 05-05-2010 04:14 PM
For those that may want to attend, there will be a memorial service for Guenter planned to coincide with the 2010 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class induction in early June (most likely on the 4th) as announced by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and family members of Guenter.
dondowney New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 05-05-2010 07:03 PM
I'll miss you, Mr. Wendt! Thanks for the autographs and great stories and most of all for that great smile! All of the men & chimps you helped send up into Space came back safely. Congratulations!
divemaster Member
Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted 05-05-2010 07:05 PM
quote:Originally posted by Delta7: I wonder what "Gotcha" Wally Schirra pulled on Guenter at the Pearly Gates. Probably involved a pitchfork and fire!
And "pearly gates" may not have been involved, either, knowing the two of them.
We are losing true legends.
RocketmanRob Member
Posts: 268 From: New York City USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 05-05-2010 08:30 PM
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APG85 Member
Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 05-05-2010 11:25 PM
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chet Member
Posts: 1506 From: Beverly Hills, Calif. Registered: Nov 2000
posted 05-06-2010 11:13 PM
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Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-07-2010 12:25 AM
In February 2009, Guenter visited the white room atop Pad 39A once more to "pass the torch" to United Space Alliance's Travis Thompson.
These photos (courtesy Thompson via David Waters) capture that moment...
Marwin2 Member
Posts: 139 From: Registered: Oct 2006
posted 05-07-2010 09:30 AM
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thump Member
Posts: 575 From: washington dc usa Registered: May 2004
posted 05-07-2010 11:27 AM
Robert, I notice in the hi-res copy of photo #1, that everyone has a yellowish-red tape around their watch faces and bands. Is that to ensure that no pieces fall off and get lost inside the orbiter or white room?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-07-2010 11:30 AM
Yes, that is Kapton tape. All lose articles need to secured (watches, jewelry, etc.). There is a string dispenser at the base of the pad to tether eye glasses and the like.
Steve Procter Member
Posts: 1031 From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK Registered: Oct 2000
posted 05-07-2010 04:42 PM
Here in the UK the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Last Word' did a short feature on Guenter's life today with contributions from former colleague John Tribe and astronaut Jim Lovell.
It can be heard via the BBC website using the iplayer function.
Joe Frasketi Member
Posts: 191 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2003
posted 05-07-2010 09:31 PM
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divemaster Member
Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted 05-08-2010 10:42 AM
Has anyone found out if and where the family would like to have donations made - and if we make them on our own to our favorite charity, where the acknowledgement note should be sent?
Guenter was a wonderful man and I want to do what I can.
Lunar Module 5 Member
Posts: 370 From: Wales, UK Registered: Dec 2004
posted 05-08-2010 12:45 PM
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machbusterman Member
Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
posted 05-09-2010 03:46 AM
I found my Guenter Wendt signed photo that he kindly signed for me at the first ASF show!
Guenter had a lot of fun telling me the story behind this photograph: John Young is presented with these huge styrofoam pliers just prior to climbing aboard the Gemini 10 capsule by "Pad Leader" Guenter Wendt. Young had asked for a pair of pliers to aid manipulating some switches aboard the capsule but his request was denied by management... this was Guenter's "Gotcha."
irish guy Member
Posts: 287 From: Kerry Ireland Registered: Dec 2001
posted 05-10-2010 07:27 AM
Very sad to hear this news. Guenter was so friendly to us when we met him last in 2007. A great man and a huge loss.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-28-2010 12:14 PM
A memorial gathering has been set for June 5, with all invited.
The Ride of a Lifetime Remembrance - June 5, 2010 - Guenter F. Wendt
"I wonder where Guenter went?"
Decades later, the answer is still elusive. We think it is time for an answer. Where do you think Guenter went?
I think he is playing tennis with Charlie's angel...
Conducting a safety inspection...
In speech therapy, working on that accent...
"To the moon, Alice. To the moon!" (Ralph Kramden, a/k/a Jackie Gleason)
???????
All are invited to remember Guenter on June 5, 2010. If you believe you have the answer to the above question, but cannot attend, please email it to me, and I will gladly add it to the list (and let me know if you want your name attached to the comment or prefer to remain anonymous).
It will be great to hear, share and tell stories about Dad, and we look forward to having you be part of this event.
Norma Kay Wendt wherewendt@aol.com
Scheduled Launch Date: Saturday, June 5, 2010
Launch Window: 7:00 p.m.
Launch Pad: Moose Lodge, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island
Crew Members: Family and Friends
Payload: Hors d'oeuvers and refreshments
The Chef's selection of fine edible delights
Fresh assorted photos through the decades
Stuffed "Gotchas"
Smoked "Wendticisms" (famous and lesser known quotes)
Launch Commentary: 8:00 p.m. - Memories and stories
Final Hatch Closing: Champagne toast
Attire: Evening casual
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Guenter F. Wendt to: The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, 6225 Vectorspace Boulevard, Titusville, FL 32780, 321-455-7012 or 321-455-7015.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 06-06-2010 06:51 AM
To close out my "space day" I attended the memorial for our Pad Leader. I want to thank Norma and her family for generously sharing their father with us and for opening the gathering to the public. There were about two hundred in attendance. Mostly family and close friends.
I heard a few new stories about the man. My favorite was of the most recent gesture by NASA for Guenter. Norma contacted Bob Cabana and Charlie Bolden to arrange for her Dad to visit the Pad one last time. Discovery was being prepped for STS-131. When the day came you could see it in his eyes he was as excited as any of us would be to visit for the first time. It turns out the Close Out Crew had (deliberately) very little notice that made what they did so special. Before going to the Pad they arranged for Guenter to meet and speak to the entire Pad Crew and share his experiences in the auditorium. Word of Guenter's visit flashed throughout the building and very soon it was standing room only.
I learned that many of the procedures Guenter instituted are still in use today. After the talk they gave Guenter a ride to the Pad in the front seat of the Close Out Crew van. He was snapping pictures like crazy. As the photos above show Guenter and the guys who followed in his footsteps enjoyed the experience immensely. In the last photo Guenter asked that everyone go ahead of him so he could have this last photo taken with Travis. Guenter told him, "I pass the torch to you."
I tell you there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Everyone knows that the pioneers of our space program had a passion for their job that was legendary. But the people who do those jobs today have the same passion so it is going to be especially painful when the program ends. This change although it has been coming for years is going to hurt.
The one sad note is that while many of Guneters peers and co-workers from his days were in the area yesterday, none of them attended last nights gathering.
Darron Member
Posts: 22 From: Port Salerno, FL, USA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 06-06-2010 11:15 AM
Perhaps we cSpacers need to start wearing secret decoder rings so we can recognise each other in public!
I agree with all you said - it was a wonderful and emotional evening. Sincere thanks to all of Guenter's family and friends for hosting a fitting and memorable gathering!
posted 05-04-2010 04:07 PM
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