# Neil Armstrong -first man on moon has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 25, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631 "2012-08-25T19:17:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/61 "2012-08-25T22:43:36Z")
I used to hope Neil Armstrong would live long enough to see another man walk on the moon. Now I just hope I live that long. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/62 "2012-08-25T22:49:03Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Armstrong’s family has issued this statement: > > “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves. 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.** ” I walk outside every evening (often multiple times) right up until the time I go to bed. Its usually clear around here at night. And, I very often see the moon. And every time I do I think something along the lines of “holy crap! Some men have walked on that!” I imagine I have had that thought more often that a good fraction of the world’s population have had sex. Neil and his cohorts and the army that supported their adventures have never been far from my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/63 "2012-08-25T22:52:49Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Armstrong’s family has issued this statement: > > “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves. 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.” I will, indeed, wink at the moon. Once again amongst the stars. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/64 "2012-08-25T22:53:03Z")
My slightly irreverent response is that now I no longer have a good answer for the “name a living person who will be famous in 1000 years” question ☹ But as others have pointed out, he accomplished something amazing and lived a long life… what more can any of us ask? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/65 "2012-08-25T23:00:14Z")
It just occured to me. The moon is just a few days past first quarter tonight. Go outside as the darkness encroaches, give it a good long look, and raise a toast to it and shed a few tears. I know I certainly will. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/66 "2012-08-25T23:08:16Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Aw man! > [Here is one of Neil’s last, rare interviews.](http://thebottomline.cpaaustralia.com.au/? __utma=1.2107835845.1345928883.1345928883.1345928883.1&__ utmb=1.5.9.1345928947331& __utmc=1&__ utmx=-& __utmz=1.1345928883.1.1.utmcsr=google%7Cutmccn=%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd=organic%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__ utmv=-&__utmk=88042008) > > Note the URL. A web site for Australian CPAs. He did it because his dad was an auditor. Awesome, thanks. Watching now. For becoming a person who will go down as one of the most distinguished in history, it seems he rarely made an appearance in the public spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/67 "2012-08-25T23:15:12Z")
A true pioneer in the classic sense; that is an embodiment of spirit and courage. In centuries to come he’ll be remembered in the same sentence as the first person on Mars. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/68 "2012-08-25T23:24:40Z")
In watching the linked interviews, I have to mention, Neil thought there was a 90% change they’d get back to earth safe and sound, but only a 50% chance he’d land the Eagle without catastrophe. Some balls and humility he (and the rest of the Apollo crew) had; what a rare quality. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/69 "2012-08-25T23:41:55Z")
He was part of an era. I was 5 when our town had a parade for ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, as he’d gone to our town’s HS. His car drove past my family, and as I stood on that curb I remember asking my parents why Neil Armstrong wasn’t there too (and getting dirty looks). The seemingly faceless 3rd man behind the scenes who made it all work was of course Michael Collins. I never met Neil Armstrong. I never bought him a beer. I’ll never get to meet any of the Apollo 11 astronauts. There are So Many people passing who I’ve always wanted to meet & never ever will. If I’m ever going to be able to buy these folks the beer I had sincerely wished to, its rapidly becoming apparent that I’d better die by having a Budweiser factory fall on me. Less me, less Budweiser. Win-win. ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/70 "2012-08-25T23:49:52Z")
I’m sure Neil was quite aware that it was somewhat “luck of the draw” that made him the first man to walk on the moon. Any alteration of events could have altered the flight rotation & put another astronaut in place to be first on the moon. That being said, I don’t think a better choice could have been made if it had been scripted from beginning to end. Thank you Neil! ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/71 "2012-08-26T00:00:23Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Merged a CS thread into this one; chronology may be a little wonky. Yeah, it made my post look like I was thread crapping, when it was actually the first response in the other thread. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/72 "2012-08-26T00:19:41Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > It just occured to me. The moon is just a few days past first quarter tonight. Go outside as the darkness encroaches, give it a good long look, and raise a toast to it and shed a few tears. I know I certainly will. I’ll do that. It’s raining, but I don’t care. I remember the night of 7/20/69. I was so keyed up I couldn’t see the picture on the TV, my brain wouldn’t process what my eyes were taking in. I went outside that night, and thought “There’s people up there!” ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/73 "2012-08-26T00:22:58Z")
When I’m out back at night I find Mars, and think “Curiosity is there right now!” It’s pretty good consolation, a keeps the dream alive. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/74 "2012-08-26T00:24:06Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Aw man! > [Here is one of Neil’s last, rare interviews.](http://thebottomline.cpaaustralia.com.au/? __utma=1.2107835845.1345928883.1345928883.1345928883.1&__ utmb=1.5.9.1345928947331& __utmc=1&__ utmx=-& __utmz=1.1345928883.1.1.utmcsr=google%7Cutmccn=%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd=organic%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__ utmv=-&__utmk=88042008) > > Note the URL. A web site for Australian CPAs. He did it because his dad was an auditor. Thank you. I just started watching this interview and it looks great. I was in the car on my way home from getting groceries today when I heard the news. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I knew instantly I was having one of those “where were you” moments. When my son was about 2 years old and I told him all about Neil Armstrong and the Apollo missions. He was probably the only kid in nursery school who knew who Neil Armstrong was. Godspeed Neil. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby\_Slippers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@Ruby\_Slippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby_Slippers)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/75 "2012-08-26T01:07:14Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > I’m sure Neil was quite aware that it was somewhat “luck of the draw” that made him the first man to walk on the moon. Any alteration of events could have altered the flight rotation & put another astronaut in place to be first on the moon. That being said, I don’t think a better choice could have been made if it had been scripted from beginning to end. > > Thank you Neil! I’m not entirely sure that it was luck of the draw. I seem to remember that he was selected because of his civilian status. As I noted earlier, the sign at the edge of his hometown said “Neil Armstrong, First Civilian Astronaut.” Picking a civilian would avoid any friction among branches of the military and would also reinforce the fact that our military works for the civilian government. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/76 "2012-08-26T01:14:31Z")
Well, this really sucks. RIP, Neill. I’ll always think of you whenever I look at the moon. I was glued to the screen during that first moon landing and have zero tolerance for those idiot moon-landing hoaxers. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/77 "2012-08-26T01:20:32Z")
Missed the Edit window. Wanted to add that the wife and I just touched a moon rock in April, at the Smithsonian in Washington. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/78 "2012-08-26T01:21:04Z")
Apparently NBC was showing a headline that astronaut Neil _Young_ had died. :rolleyes: One small step for Southern Man. . . ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/79 "2012-08-26T01:31:14Z")
I was born a couple of months after the moon landing, so it was a long long time, decades even, before I realised quite what an achievement that really was. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631/80 "2012-08-26T01:34:12Z")
We failed him. He dared, he went. We stopped daring. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon-has-died/632631.md?page=5)