James Beggs
Keith’s 25 April note: A note is circulating in the DC space community: “Our great former Administrator, Jim Beggs, died last night (April 23) at his home in Bethesda. Jim was 94 and died just before midnight last. He was at peace and with family throughout. There will be a private internment and a Celebration of Life in about a year, depending. Messages can be sent to the Gawler’s funeral home website this week end which would very be nice.”
I only have one Jim Beggs story to share and it is funny and prescient. In 1997 a year or so after NASAWatch went online I was introduced to Beggs at some event. He was not exactly a web surfer but he was aware of NASAWatch and what it was doing – and how it upset a lot of people inside the agency. He said “I don’t know why these people at NASA are all so upset. Back in my day we just assumed that anything we put on paper would get out. Keep it up. It will teach them a lesson.” And then he smiled and patted me on the back.
Ad Astra Mr. Beggs.
NASA Administrator Statement on Passing of Former Administrator James Beggs, NASA
“Mr. Beggs also served his country in the U.S. Navy and supported NASA’s achievements during the Apollo era during an agency tenure in the late 1960s. His legacy guided the shuttle program toward its three decades of achievements and set the stage for a diverse and flexible astronaut corps from which we continue to benefit. We salute his service and will continue to honor his contributions to our great agency.”
He was a Stetson-wearing, Shakespeare-quoting gentleman and superior leader. I was fortunate to engage with him through the Space Flight Participant Program which he authorized. It was an honor to visit with him just this past October. He was as engaging as ever with a glint in his eye. A great man.
His most important success wàs establishing the space station program.
Let us not forget the outrageous injustice done to a good man by out-of-control government personnel.
https://www.washingtonpost….
The story of how Beggs, Hans Mark, and Gil Rye navigated the space station decision through the White House for Reagan’s approval is an intriguing blend of space and politics.
Enemies were made within the White House based upon the tactics used by this group. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Beggs about a year ago and he still felt that his 1985 indictment was an indirect result of getting the space station approved. Whether it was or wasn’t will probably never be known.
There’s a documentary coming out about his tenure as administrator and the space station decision. It’ll be available in November.