07 November 2023: NASA Apollo 8 Astronaut, Eastern Airlines CEO -and warbird-owner Frank Borman has died….

…blue skies, sir…

Frank Borman – Wikipedia

March 14, 1928 – November 7, 2023

Frank Borman: Nasa astronaut who led Apollo 8 moon mission dies – BBC News

Frank Borman, commander of first Apollo moon mission, dies aged 95 | Space | The Guardian

My condolences to the family

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.

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

R I P What a life and a good age.