Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who took iconic Earthrise photo, has died in Washington plane crash

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

It's always a tragedy when an aircraft crashes, however for some reason the timing of this, as well as the pilot having been an aerospace pioneer, makes it feel even more so.:

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press.​

​

“The family is devastated,” Greg Anders said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”​

​

Story continued here:​

MSN​

 

[White 6]

It's always a tragedy when an aircraft crashes, however for some reason the timing of this, as well as the pilot having been an aerospace pioneer, makes it feel even more so.:

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press.​

​

“The family is devastated,” Greg Anders said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”​

​

Story continued here:​

MSN​

Sad. He saw the earth rise before him for the last time. May he rest in peace.

 

[skye]

Rest In Peace William Anders!

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

It's always a tragedy when an aircraft crashes, however for some reason the timing of this, as well as the pilot having been an aerospace pioneer, makes it feel even more so.:

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press.​

​

“The family is devastated,” Greg Anders said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”​

​

Story continued here:​

MSN​

Too bad. I have long been a huge fan of this man and his peers.

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

Rest In Peace William Anders!


View attachment 959072

The story he told of using that camera, and the shots he took...

fascinating.


GREAT IMAGE!

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

I'm truly affected by this sad and terrible news.

ltr

 

[IM2]

This is sad. But this guy saw 90 years and was able to see things personaly most of the world didn't. A great life.

 

[JGalt]

90 years of age is a little old to be piloting a plane by himself.

I'm just sayin'.

 

[Oddball]

 

[Oddball]

 

[Ringo]

It brings to mind the 2003 movie "Secondhand lions"...