Owen Garriott
We've just received word from the family who asked us to pass along the sad news that Skylab and Shuttle astronaut Owen Garriott has passed away at his home in Huntsville. Our deepest condolences to Eve, @RichardGarriott and the whole family on his loss. He will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/tTQKsaTl58
— ASE (@ASE_Astronauts) April 15, 2019
Linda and I have known Owen and Eve for many years. I first got to know Owen well when he accompanied me on one my annual summer dinosaur hunts in Montana. He was a true gentleman and so very smart and eager to explore and learn. Later, he and Eve went with us on the Lammer Law to explore the Galapagos Islands. They were great travelers! Never complained about anything, always up early and ready to go. Owen was also quick to participate in any activity we asked him to do at Space Camp which was a few miles from where he lived. He was a steady presence in our lives and will be sorely missed. I was glad and lucky to know him.
Garriott being the first ham radio operator to operate from space on the Shuttle. The first to use amateur radio for public relations and outreach from space. I wonder if he wanted to install a ham radio station on Skylab, lots of room on that station. And his son continued on with amateur radio including slowscan TV. Outstanding legacy.
Dr Garriott was part of a remarkable generation and a remarkable legacy of Astronaut excellence. Condolences to his family and colleagues.
He was kind enough to grant a telephone interview to me for my university’s science magazine more than 30 years ago. Wonderfully gracious. I still treasure the memory of our conversation; only a few years past my watching his Skylab science demo film shorts in my HS physics class, it inspired me greatly on my own path into the world of spaceflight.
Deepest sympathies to his family & friends.
Another of the Old Guard gone! 🙁