It is with a heavy heart that we post here on TrekMovie the passing of a worldwide hero, Neil Armstrong. He passed away after complications from heart surgery, his family told the press. Here’s to Neil Armstrong: first man on the moon, American astronaut, engineer, university professor, US Navy pilot, test pilot, self-proclaimed nerd, inspiration, and symbol of the golden era of space exploration. Rest in Peace and god speed.
And so comes the end of an era…
Or perhaps, the beginning of a new one. Neil Armstrong was an icon. His famous words after the Eagle safely landed on the lunar surface will echo through time. As the first man to walk on the moon dies, we are reminded that times are changing. One can only hope that human space exploration will one day be as progressive and exciting as it was during the Apollo era.
Updates and More Information
TrekMovie will not be following this story, and we ask that discussions about Neil’s passing take place in the comments section of this article. For updates from Neil’s family and more information about his legacy and his death, please see these sources:
- NASA statement
- Further updates provided by Armstrong’s family
- NASA Administrator Bolden’s full statement
- President Barack Obama’s full statement
- Armstrong family’s full statement
Links Submitted by Readers
Oreo pays homage to Armstrong with this image and tweet
via Andrew Britton
Apollo 11 Video via Mark Lynch
Editor’s note: As some of you are undoubtedly aware, I did not want to write this article. For me, my words mean little in the wake of this event. While Armstrong’s death was not necessarily a shock given that he died at the age of 82, it nonetheless has a significant impact on me. As someone inspired by Armstrong as a child, I felt I was too deeply affected to write a meaningful piece on his life and death.
I made no attempt to write an homage to him. But, outcry from the lack of any acknowledgement of the event made me realize that I needed to post an article to simply show TrekMovie’s respect. I apologize if any of you were offended that it took us this long (days) to post about Neil’s death on TM. Please know that we meant no disrespect. It was out of fear, sorrow, and, indeed, the utmost respect that I originally decided not to post. Let this post serve as a place where we can discuss the event, and I will try and keep it updated with links that you readers submit in the comments. Thanks.
I was wondering why it wasn’t mentioned but now I understand. I too felt heartbroken at the loss of a true hero.
Rip mr Armstrong
Fly far Neil
RIP
I can’t find the link any more, but Armstrong made an apperance at James Doohan’s last public appearance (was that when Jimmy got his star?). Neil, a former engineer, told Doohan, “From one old engineer to another, thanks, mate!”
Rather unfairly, Neil took a lot of criticism for not going out and “selling the program” after he left NASA. Mike Collins addressed that issue in his 1973 autobiography, noting that as the first human being to set foot on another planet, Neil was going to be a unique individual for the rest of his life, and he needed to apportion himself accordingly.
(If you can get a copy of that book, it’s a good one: “Carrying The Fire”.
R.I.P.! You truly were an inspiration for humankind, Neil!
I read “Carrying the Fire” in junior high, and a couple of times since. Very well done. Best place to look might be your local library if you can’t find it for sale anywhere. Thanks for mentioning it, Jerry. Brings back memories.
A true pioneer.
And with this article Trekmovie takes one small leap for man, one giant leap for the whiners who berate the people who actually provide quality content to this site.
@rm10019 – I don’t like to be giving into “whiners”, but I realize that me NOT posting this in the first place gave some people the wrong impression, and I wanted to right that.
He’s returned to the stars… RIP Neil Armstrong.
And special thanks to Kayla for posting this article… Thank you.
@ 7. Kayla Iacovino
Very well written piece, Kayla. Thank you for sharing.
As for the whiners… they will always find something to whine about. I’m sorry you felt you (and Trekmovie) had defend yourself against them.
7 – I understand and thanks for your time and contributions here, as always, they are truly appreciated.
I think you said perfectly enough Kayla. Thanks for posting this.
Hopefully everyone can keep a civil tongue in their head about you and Trekmovie when posting.
Thought this particular video might be appropriate… :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZb2mqId0A
RIP to a TRUE American hero and pioneer!! The one who truly had “gone where no man had gone before”. Now he’s gone off to the true “final frontier”.
A Hero in every sense of the word. A Man I’ve looked up to my entire life. Godspeed.
I agree, a TRUE HERO.
RIP Neil.
@ Kayla Iacovino
Very well done and nicely said. I’m sure we all felt the same loss and despair, but I’m sorry that you and the Trekmovie crew were called out on it. I applaud your candor and in no way did you “give in” to the whiners :) Good on ya.
Its all been said about such a great man but it bears to be repeated: God speed sir. May your soul ever soar among the stars and heavens.
Thanks for accepting the daunting task of memorializing the passing of one of history’s greatest explorers. I believe Neil Armstrong represented not only what’s best about America, but what’s best about mankind. We are all blessed to have lived during the Age of Armstrong, and see him step into history on the surface of the moon. He was an inspiration to all the people of earth, and especially so to Trek fans, because he represented what we could be at our best.
P.S. The Trek community lost a favorite member last week with the passing of actor William Windom, aka Commodore Matt Decker of “The Doomsday Machine.” I was disappointed that Trek Movie failed to note his passing.
Rest in Heaven neil,you are defently up in the sky,Thanks for the wonderful memories and you”ll be never forgotten.
I really think we need to have a national holiday for him as an example to all people what it truely is to be an American and what you can achive for the benifit of mankind.
@Kayla: Thank you for expressing the thoughts many of us share with you about Armstrong….
May it ever go forth that the exact transcript of what he said really was:
“A small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.”
I’m so glad to see that the media in general has been putting forward the quote as he said it, and not how it heard transmitted by primitive technology of 1969 that dropped moments due to interference and relay timing.
@3. Jerry, thank you for noting that about him. I was always impressed that unlike some of the later Apollo astronauts, he never looked for ‘side deals’ or ‘things to take along’, etc. When I’ve had a chance through the years to talk with Dr. Jack Schmitt at conferences…. the reverence with which all the fellow astronauts held Armstrong is telling.
An interesting note…. (because Dr. Schmitt will point this out if a speaker calls him the only civilian to land on the moon), that Armstrong had already retired from the service long before the moon landing… so as it turns out that the first foot on the moon was that of a civilian! Armstrong was a veteran at that point, not in the military.
Perhaps it would be even more fitting if there was a global holiday date set aside for Neil Armstrong.
Especially as the Lunar plaque says, “We came in peace for all Mankind”
It seems fitting to me that he should be remembered on a Worldwide scale.
@17 I think Armstrong would have advocated against a national holiday for him. He would probably have suggested honoring others such as the 9/11 victims. The family expresses that the best way to honor him is this:
“For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”
Thank you Kayla for a beautifully written Article.
Neil is Really not dead. As long as we remember him.
@19 & @20, All good points, it would be interesting to try and pull off a worldwide holiday. As for a holiday for the victimes of 9/11 I’m not oppsed to that, but that is remembering a tragic event in our and world historyand the cruelty of man against man.
But a holiday to celebrate one of the few times in human history where the world was as one not only will that honor Neil Armstrong but also pay tribute to the memory of Gene Roddenbery and his vision of man reaching for the stars in peace.
My dad and I met Mr. Armstrong at the “Beam me up, Scotty, one last time” event exactly 8 years ago today. My dad was beaming when he met him. I was so happy to see that my dad was able to meet one of his heroes.
I have seen calendars that call 9/11 “Patriot’s Day.” Not something I am endorsing, just noting.
Thanks Kayla! Really appreciate this!
Neil Armstrong will always be a legend. One of the greatest human beings ever. Considering his accomplishments, his humility was astounding. Certainly a role model for all of us, and for all time.
He will be missed, but he will also be remembered and cherished.
What a great man.
Hey Chris,
Gald to hear it, I can tell you that when I had the chance to meet your dad not only at conventions but on the lot during the filming of ST III, IV he was such a nice person to be able to sit down and talk to, it was nice to be able for me to meet one of my hero’s as well. I’m glad to see you taking over the Scotty role in these fan productions looking forward to them.
A true hero. I feel so fortunate to have been born in the era that I was and to watch him walk on the moon when I was only nine.
RIP Dr. Armstrong. Thank you for your inspiration.
I wonder how many people have looked up at the moon this week and given it a wink?
The first human to walk on another world. That is such an amazing accomplishment. He deserves a national day of mouring, laying in state at the capitol, and countless number of schools named after him.
I respect his modesty in his post Apollo life. Though I would have preferred he used his celebrity to promote space exploration I am still in awe of his integrity.
More than an American hero. A hero for all mankind.
#23 – Thanks for sharing Chris!
Godspeed Dr. Armstrong. Thank you for your strength and courage.
I count it as a privelage that I had the opportunity to see Neil Armstrong in person in 2005. Neil was a very quiet man who shied away from the spotlight, but when asked to speak at the Veteran’s Day Memorial in Gettysburg in 2005 Neil welcomed the opportunity. Neil did not speak m=of his own amazing accomplishments, but instead praised those veterans who have served this country in war and peace and were wounded or gave their life for their country. The wounded veterans who were present that day beamed with joy to be able to shake the hand of an American Hero like Neil Armstrong, but Neil made it clear to them that he was the one proud to shake the hands of those wounded veterans.
Neil Armstrong was a true hero and a role model to millions (including me). He will be missed. His passing marks the end of an era.
Thanks Kayla. Good job.
Rest In Peace Neil Armstrong.
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For those interested in reading more about Mr. Armstrong and Apollo, I recommend the following titles…
A MAN ON THE MOON by Andrew Chakin
APOLLO: THE RACE TO THE MOON by Murray and Cox
FIRST MAN: THE LIFE OF NEIL ARMSTRONG by James Hansen
Note… The President has ordered flags flown at half-staff on Friday, August 31, the day or Mr. Armstrong’s funeral.
Wonderful article. Thank you, Kayla.
Absolutely thrilled to see this posted here Kayla…. in a forum where many of us can truly call this American hero an inspiration.
I am too young to have been around when Armstrong first stepped out onto the moon, and in a way, I envy those that were around to see it.
In an age when wonderment and exploration…. the human need to evolve and push the boundaries of what is known were all things celebrated and encouraged. Neil Armstrong was a true pioneer of that spirit, and in that, I mourn his passing.
Many of us here keep his inspiration alive by being heralds of that very spirit ourselves, telling the story of a man who refused to be known as a legend, but in every sense really was.
For you, Neil Armstrong…. not even the sky was the limit.
Little late on this news.
Sorry, that he is gone, which I knew about this past weekend, but this is another reason why Trekmovie is not becoming reliable source for news anymore. Articles get posted late and by the time they are posted they are old news.
Thank you Kayla.
And, I really appreaciate your sharing what this news means to you.
And thank you Mr.Armstrong .
You have my Eternal gratitude ,
For all your contributions to our past and our future.
And , for handling it all with humility and class.
I didn’t equate the lack of any kind of article, with disrespect.
Trekmovie reporters give their time freely and shouldn’t feel pressured into contributing. I’m sure we all spared a thought for this particular legend’s passing, reacting to the news on TV and online, and will continue to do so with documentary tributes yet to come.
—————–
R.I.P. Mr. Armstrong.
You made that giant leap on behalf of all of us.
Kayla
Thanks for posting. I was very sorry to hear the news late Saturday evening here in the UK. Neil Armstrong will never be forgotten and he is an inspiration to engineers, scientists and explorers everywhere.
I was also struck by both you and the editors words regarding the difficulties in covering this event. Thank you for your considered and considerate response.
Giant loss for mankind. RIP Neil Armstrong.
I remember that day very well as an 11year old kid when he walked on the moon with the grainey B/W television transmission. But it still held me captive as to what was going on over 200,000 + miles away. The most pivital moment in human history and our greatest achviement.
He now took another step and walks with God.
38 – “by the time they are posted they are old news” … sort of like your gripes… :) I kid, I kid!
I would love a ship named after Armstrong in the new movie, if not a dedication of the film to him and his pioneering spirit.
Sorry if this has already been suggested on another thread (I haven’t read all the recent comments yet), but maybe the next Star Trek movie should include a dedication to Neil Armstrong, displayed at the start of the movie or just before the end credits.
Something along the lines of “Dedicated to Neil Armstrong (1930-2012), the first human to step onto the final frontier. May his dignity, humility and courage always serve as an example to all mankind”.
Something like that. I’m sure Bob Orci could write a better dedication.
#45
No need for a better dedication, Jai. That’s perfect. Well done.
And as for Dr. Armstrong, I can’t say anything but… though I was born after his “small step,” he was a hero of mine. A man of service who saw the worst of mankind in war and demonstrated the best of mankind in the peaceful exploration of the heavens.
And exploring still.
RIP Neil Armstrong.
He took one small step from this life and made his giant leap into the Final Frontier.
He should immediately replace someone on our money. No commemorative coin, either, a major bill. He’s arguably the most extraordinary man in history.
Very sad news indeed. As a kid I watched Armstrong’s first step on the moon along with Walter Cronkite’s commentary I thought that we had finally made it. We really had become a space-faring nation. I don’t think I had missed a launch since Gemini. And as the Apollo years unfolded, I was convinced that we would be in the space business from then on out.
The passing of Neil hits especially hard when you realize that all the treasure and intellectual power that put him (and Buzz Aldrin) there was squandered and mismanaged by the short sighted and the greedy.
Our heroes are passing. (BTW, we lost Sally Ride this year, as well.) Other heroes in the course of their duty were lost on the Challenger, the Columbia and Apollo 1.
It used to be kids looked up to astronauts. Nowadays, its NASCAR drivers. Something’s wrong with the picture Walter.