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Ron McNair Obituary
In 1978, McNair was selected for the astronaut program and, in 1984, became the second African American in space as Mission Specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Two years later McNair was again selected to be part of the Challenger crew. On January 28, 1986, he and the other six crew members were killed when the space shuttle exploded seconds after launch.
Twenty-five years after his death, we remember astronaut Ron McNair and invite you to share memories and condolences in his Guest Book.
20 Entries
January 31, 2025
love
January 3, 2025
he was a good guy
James Conner
August 28, 2024
He was a really good guy ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Kate Fowler
March 3, 2024
What an inspiring American hero who we can all look up to. Rest in Peace, Ronald McNair.
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January 24, 2023
rest in peace
Wm Jones
January 28, 2021
Even though our schools were only 30 minutes apart via Interstate 40 in North Carolina (Winston-Salem State University) and Dr. McNair's NC A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, he's an example of the contributions of proud HBCUs.
bertha scott
July 20, 2019
To the family and to the world: Ronald McNair gave his life for the good of mankind. May he never be forgotten.
Ronald E. McNair
Christian Hanna
January 9, 2015
I'm working on a digital project about Ron because I live in the city he came from.
he is AWESOME!
Dorothy Campbell
October 26, 2014
My god bless you and your family always and forever.
February 21, 2014
I am researching African American Baha'is and found this information on one outstanding person, Ron McNair. I am so happy for his honors and his inestimable social contributions.
mia wilson
February 1, 2013
you are the greatest, from Mia Wilson
Third grade student at Stevenson Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan.
January 28, 2013
A true American Hero. RIP Sir.
Julia & Jonathan Moore
January 27, 2013
Proud of the legacy of Ron McNair. My son and I just studied his life for a book report due Janruary 28th. It was about his courage at age 9 to stand up for his rights to be able to check out a library book.We were saddened to read the bio of his death; but after watching an interview where he said being an astronaut is what he was meant to do, we knew he was happy in fulfilling his purpose. He accomplished a great deal in such a short time, wow!
Tim Driver
June 1, 2012
Never mind black, white or even purple. Ron was an American and an astronaut. Today, I ran int his wife and daughter at NASA JSC and had a nice private conversation with them. What interesting and dedicated people. We still miss him in the NASA area.
ylexis smith
April 25, 2012
I think Ron Mcnair is a great idol to young black people i am happy that we are integrated :)
Yvette Smith
April 25, 2012
Last week I went to a book fair at my childrens school. While my children were running around picking up books of their favorite theme characters, I was drawn to a table that only had african american books and one of the books that I chose for my children was Ron's Big Mission. However, I was not aware of the contents of this book until this morning; two of my children had to stay home today due to not feeling well and we decided to read a book together and I must say that I cried as we got to towards the end of the book when young Ron stood on that table and demanded that he checked out his own books. That made me so proud to be a AFRICAN american. My heart and emotions grew more heavier when I read the story of his life at the end of the book. I was home not feeling well that day and my mother could not watch her stories because this crew of astronauts were going up in space and it was being televised on every channel. After the tragedy the news focused mainly on a astronaut that was on board with Ron that was also a school teacher. It is amazing how on the day of that tragedy many years ago I was home not feeling well and today my children are home not feeling well and I just happen to read them his story. I was truly honored to have purchased this book.
Lynn Myers
April 18, 2011
The Ronald E. McNair Trio Grant continues to be funded at the school I work at. I work with Contracts and Grants since the early 80's and always think of the legacy McNair has passed on with this funding through the US Department of Education. I remember the day the shuttle exploded. A sad event.
Romildra Toeran
February 6, 2011
Mr. Mcnair will always be remembered. My heart goes out to his family, and hope that his memory will live on & on in everyones hearts.
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
February 6, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Clotee Miller
January 31, 2011
It has been many years since that tragic day but the memory of all who were on board making history still lives on with me today.
Clotee Miller
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