Gone West: Frank Borman

[p51buff]

Frank Borman, Apollo 8 commander who led first crew to orbit moon, dies at 95
One of nine tapped for NASA’s second astronaut corps, he commanded two missions that laid essential groundwork for the 1969 moon landing


Frank Borman, a NASA astronaut who commanded Apollo 8, the first crewed mission to orbit the moon and return safely to Earth, and later as chief executive of Eastern Air Lines piloted the carrier through a turbulent business climate that led to its takeover and eventual demise, died Nov. 7 at a medical center in Billings, Mont. He was 95.

The cause was a stroke, said family spokesman Jim McCarthy. Mr. Borman, who lived at a retirement community in Billings, died one week after fellow astronaut Ken Mattingly, who helped bring Apollo 13 home following an onboard explosion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituari ... tern-dead/

[Lynn Allen]

Blue Skies Col. Borman. I met him and his wife while putting on the Stinson Air Show in San Antonio years back. They landed their T-6 after shooting an instrument approach and tied it down and helped us move aircraft around. He was a very approachable person. Thank you for your service as well.

[L-188]

I can't remember the exact year, but Col. Borman was giving a talk at the EAA museum while I was there as a docent. Before the talk started, he was waiting at the back of the hall. I remarked to my wife "Wow that's Frank Borman!" She said "go and say hi. Nah he's too busy I don't want to bother him" I was looking at something and felt a tap on my shoulder I turn around and Col. Borman says "Hey I've always wanted to meet you"

[JohnB]

Colonel Borman would always bring his Mustang (with post-war USAF markings) to the Dyess AFB open house from New Mexico.
Back then, I was doing TV news so I made it a point to speak with him every year.
Very nice guy, very down to earth. No nonsense, but no attitude.
He even autographed my copy of Jim Lovell's Lost Moon, since he and Lovell had piloted Gemini VII, back in 1965 and is frequently mentioned in it.

But what really impressed me was his wife, Susan.
She (presumably willingly ) made the trip in the Mustang back seat. Sure, sounds great to us, but how many 60-70 year old women would put up with an uncomfortable ride then spend the day sitting under the wing on a hot ramp?
She reminded me of the wives and moms I knew while growing up on air bases as a kid. Even the wives had "the right stuff" back then.
(Also, Susan was the first wife to rush to Marilyn Lovell's side during the Apollo 13 crisis). She passed away from Alzheimer's a couple of years ago.

Rest in Peace colonel and condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

[Pogo]

Growing up in the shadow of NASA in the Clear Lake area of Houston, many of the early astronauts were friends and neighbors. When I was a child, 'Mr. & Mrs. Borman' were friends of my parents, and I clearly remember Frank as always ready to chat up a little kid like me, and a fun grownup I'd look forward to talking to.

My father was a Monsanto engineer, and when he was transferred to HQ in St Louis Frank offered to check on the house Dad was having built there since he was going to St Louis a lot himself at the time. I can remember my father protesting that while he appreciated it very much he knew astronauts had terribly hectic schedules, but Frank already had his notebook out saying 'nonsense, give me the address'. He came back with a detailed report, and pictures too.

Col. Borman was an incredible man and true American treasure. Now he's the first of the Apollo 8 crew to leave us - and there's the commander for you, I guess, leading the way again! His passing would be heartbreaking, but I feel more inclined to celebrate an extraordinary life that was long and well lived.

Ad Astra Frank Borman!

[DH82EH]

Really well put Kurt.
Celebrating a life well lived.
On a similar note, Thomas K "Ken" Mattingly also passed recently (Oct 31).
He was the CMP for Apollo 16 as well as a pilot for the free fall flights of the Space shuttle Enterprise.

Much respect to them both.

Andy