Howard
Benedict, 77, known as the "dean" of space reporting and former
Executive Director of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, died Monday, April
25, at his Florida
home.
In
the early years of the United
States space program, Benedict introduced
generations to space exploration, covering more than 2,000 missile and rocket
launches as the senior aerospace writer for The Associated Press.
He
covered the first 65 U.S.
human space flights, from Alan Shepard's Mercury mission in 1961 to the 34th
Space Shuttle mission in 1990, for 31 of the 37 years he worked for the wire
service.
"Howard
Benedict's professional life recorded the manned space program from its
earliest days. Always fair and objective, his coverage became the standard for America and
indeed for the world," said former U.S. Senator John Glenn and the first
astronaut to orbit the Earth. "Howard became a loyal and wonderful,
personal friend to me and to all the astronauts."
Benedict
authored three books about the space program (NASA: A Quarter Century of Space Achievement in 1984; NASA: The Journey Continues in 1989; and
At Home in Space in 1995) and in 1994
co-wrote Moon Shot: The
Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon with fellow reporter Jay Barbree and astronauts Alan Shepard and Deke
Slayton.
In
1992, Benedict began inspiring a new generation by providing educational
opportunities for college engineering and science students offered through the
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He retired as Executive Director of the ASF
in 2004, but continued to serve on their Board of Directors.
"Howard's
unwavering devotion and support of the foundation is a tribute to a man that
that will live on for years. ASF is what it is today in great part to Howard
and his steadfast dedication to the astronauts, their legacy and the scientists
of the future that benefited from his many years of work," said astronaut
James Lovell, ASF Chairman Emeritus. "We have not only lost a friend but
we have lost a true champion."
One
hundred and ninety six students reaped the benefit of Benedict's work. Under
his tenure, the ASF disbursed over $2 million in scholarships.
"His
work will live on as we continue with the programs that he and the other
Mercury astronauts have initiated," said astronaut Owen Garriott, the Foundation Chairman.
Benedict
is survived by his wife, Joy. Memorial service arrangements were pending.
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