Happy Birthday, Jack Lousma
Wishing a Happy 80th Birthday to leap-year Wolverine Jack Lousma: Pioneer High School Class of 1954; B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, U-M, 1956; retired Colonel, United States Marine Corps; member of the support crew for Apollo 9, 10, and 13; member of the Skylab 3 crew; and commander of STS-3, the third space shuttle mission.
And #23 on the U-M football team, 1955-56.
Happy Birthday and Go Blue, Colonel.
February 29th, 2016 at 6:54 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 7:14 AM ^
Jack and his wife are wonderful people; and true Michigan Wolverines. I have had the pleasure of dinner with Jack and had a similar experience. He is gracious and amazing to talk with, patiently answers any questions you have (although some answers are still classified!) Hope you have a great day, Happy 20th!!!
February 29th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 7:19 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 29th, 2016 at 7:24 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 7:52 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 7:29 AM ^
Go Blue!! You too, fugitive! How old are you? 12?
February 29th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 8:14 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 8:15 AM ^
You don't get any more badass than astronauts and test pilots.
February 29th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^
Years ago, I got to meet Jim Lovell at a luncheon. He was there promoting his book, which subsequently was made into the Tom Hanks movie "Apollo 13." He was a very nice, soft-spoken older gentleman - but he had the presence of a total badass, one who had looked death right in the eye and said, "Nope, not today."
I was a huge astronaut fan as a kid, and was a little starstruck. During our brief conversation I called him "Sir," and he replied, "Please, call me Jim."
Not a chance, I thought. You're standing in front of me when, by rights, you should be a frozen satellite permanently orbiting the moon. You're a "Sir" if I've ever met one.
February 29th, 2016 at 8:28 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 8:40 AM ^
That's a heck of a resume, but is he a people person? I am going to need to see some references.
February 29th, 2016 at 8:54 AM ^
thank you to him and all that served.
The day after Michigan stomped Florida, I had the pleasure to visit NASA and have lunch with an astronaut. These are some of the smartest, nicest, craziest, and most humble SOBs you ever will meet.
February 29th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^
Don't forget to add to his resume: 2-for-2 passing for 19 yards, and 2 carries for 6 yards for Michigan in 1956.
February 29th, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
Great to hear stories of such illustrious alum. Wish you a very happy birthday Jack.
February 29th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^
February 29th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^
Met him at the Flint Airshow back in the 80's. Signed my program and answered all of our questions. He asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I told him "astronaut", he replied that I had "better be good at math".
Great guy.
Also, I never became an astronaut.
February 29th, 2016 at 1:43 PM ^