American astronaut (1928–2025).
Born March 25th, 1928 in Cleveland.
Died August 7th, 2025 at 97 years old in Lake Forest. [ref]
Jim Lovell, the esteemed astronaut and naval aviator, passed away on August 7, 2025 at the age of 97. Throughout his long and illustrious career, Lovell made significant contributions to the field of space exploration and became a household name for his role in the Apollo 13 mission. Born on March 25, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovell developed a love for flying at a young age and went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Navy, where he flew combat missions during the Korean War and eventually became a test pilot. In 1962, Lovell was selected by NASA to become one of the original group of astronauts known as the "Mercury Seven." During his time with NASA, Lovell piloted two missions before commanding the historic Apollo 13 mission in 1970. Despite facing a near-catastrophic oxygen leak and other technical malfunctions, Lovell and his crew successfully returned to Earth and became known as the "successful failure" for their bravery and ingenuity in overcoming the challenges. Lovell retired from NASA and the Navy in 1973, but continued to work as a consultant for various space programs and companies. In 1994, he published his autobiography, "Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13," which served as the basis for the award-winning film, "Apollo 13." Throughout his life, Lovell received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to space exploration, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the Naval Astronaut Wings. He will always be remembered for his adventurous spirit, remarkable achievements, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Jim Lovell leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of space exploration and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues. His impact on the scientific community and inspiration to future generations will never be forgotten.
We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. Chuck Palahniuk