posted 03-20-2020 06:28 PM               

The first time I met him was at Spacefest 7. I was outside on the terrace having a smoke with a small group of other attendees and he came outside and looked our direction. With a sincere look on his face he said to us, "Is this where the deplorables hangout?" One of said, "I guess so." Then he gave us that inviting smile he had and said, "Good, I'm in the right place."

He came over and we all had a good chat. Not about space but current events and how we were. He really enjoyed people and engaged us all on a common level. I will miss him.

posted 03-22-2020 02:21 PM               

I first met Al in Coventry in 2004. After chatting and receiving a signed photo Al asked me if I was hungry and did I fancy joining him for a coffee and a bite to eat. How could I refuse? from there on we struck up a firm friendship which has seen both myself and my family enjoy some great times with Al.

In 2013, Space Lectures brought Al over as our guest speaker and Julie organised for Al and the team to visit "Just Jane" an operational Lancaster Bomber housed in Lincolnshire. As the engines roared and the fumes filled the entire aircraft Al was truly at home and in his element.

Al dined at our home and we were all enthralled by Al's stories and anecdotes. My daughters are no space geeks but they were fully entertained by Al's wit and warmness all evening. Al was a true raconteur.

Picking up on Greg Johnson's comments about golf, Julie and I stayed at Al's Grand Rapids home which was situated next to the Thousand Oaks golf course. "Do you fancy a round of golf Andy," Al inquired. I duly obliged and the outcome was the same as Greg's.

As others have alluded to, Al was not only a engineer and scientist but had a great passion for the arts. He drove us down to Saugatuck at breakneck speed to enjoy the art and crafts on display. My feet were firmly pressed into the foot well of the car all the way down the highway.

Last year, we had the pleasure of staying with Al at his new home in Houston where he had recently moved to to be closer to family and friends. These were very special times for us and seeing Al still with his huge zest for life was truly heart warming.

Julie kept in regular contact with Al by both Facebook and Twitter between meet ups and regularly gave us a full commentary of his globetrotting life.

The last time I saw Al was when I picked him up from Manchester Airport late last year. Having disembarked off the plane and negotiated the customs I was greeted with the "Al Worden smile" and hug. His next words to me were "Have I got time for a cigarette?"

Al's achievements in both air and space will live on and will always be marked in history.

As many of us who have met Al know, he is not just about his achievements noted in the history books, but Al the wonderful human being that will live long in our hearts.

posted 03-23-2020 02:42 PM               

When I saw him the last time, I was with two other companions who also had become know to him. When he started his presentation, he pointed at us and said he would have to be careful with what he said, a few people already knew all his stories.

posted 06-11-2020 06:00 PM               

Celebrating the life and legacy of Al Worden

Colonel Al Worden departed this world for the second time on March 18, 2020. He left the first time on July 26, 1971 when he blasted off from earth perched atop the giant Saturn V rocket that lifted him and his two crewmates on their epic journey to the Moon and back.

Throughout the five decades in-between — indeed throughout his entire active 88 years of life — Al Worden had a profound positive impact on thousands of people all over the world as he fulfilled his varied roles of explorer, engineer, educator, poet, friend, partner, father, and benefactor.

On July 27, 2020 family and friends of Al will remember and celebrate the life and legacy of this remarkable man during an online tribute coinciding with the 49th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission.

You are cordially invited to log-on to join us for this special tribute to Al the legend, and Al the man.

Click here and receive the online link that will go "live" at 10:00am Central Standard Time (15:00 Greenwich Mean Time) on Monday July 27, 2020. If you have photos or memories of Al you would like to share with others, please register and upload them to be used in the site we are compiling to preserve and celebrate his memory.

You can also make a contribution in Al's honor to the Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Foundation, which enables students and educators from around the world to pursue their STEM-related dreams by attending the International Space Camp in Huntsville, AL.

Please feel free to contact: Nanine Gallo at Kallman Worldwide for additional information about Al's Celebration of Life or the Endeavour Scholarship Foundation.