Alan Bean, Fourth Person to Walk on the Moon, Dies at 86

Alan Bean fourth person to walk on the moon dead at 86

Astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth person to walk on the moon, died at 86 following a short illness in Houston Saturday a statement by NASA said. 

“Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life and I miss him dearly,” said Leslie Bean, Alan Bean’s wife of 40 years. “A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston surrounded by those who loved him.”

Bean served as the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, making the second moon landing in 1969. He then was also the commander of the second crewed flight to the first space station launched by the United States, Skylab, in 1973. 

“Alan and I have been best friends for 55 years — ever since the day we became astronauts,” said Walt Cunningham, who flew on Apollo 7. “When I became head of the Skylab Branch of the Astronaut Office, we worked together and Alan eventually commanded the second Skylab mission.”

“We have never lived more than a couple of miles apart, even after we left NASA. And for years, Alan and I never missed a month where we did not have a cheeseburger together at Miller’s Café in Houston. We are accustomed to losing friends in our business but this is a tough one,” said Cunningham.

Bean set a record for being in space, orbiting the Earth for 59 days, traveling 24.4 million miles. The astronaut spent a total of 69 days in space, including his 31 hours on the moon.

After retiring from the Navy in 1975 and NASA in 1981, he dedicated himself to paintings inspired by the Apollo missions. 

Bean is survived by his wife Leslie, a sister, and two children from a prior marriage. 

Photos: Getty Images


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