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BORN
1932
DIED
2017
Paul Weitz Obituary
Weitz died at his retirement home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Monday, said Laura Cutchens of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. No cause of death was given.
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A NASA biography says Weitz was among the class of 19 astronauts who were chosen in April 1966. He served as command module pilot on the first crew of the orbiting space laboratory known as Skylab during a 28-day mission in 1973.
Weitz also commanded the first launch of the shuttle Challenger in April 1983. The five-day mission took off from the Kennedy space Center in Florida and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The Challenger was destroyed and seven crew members killed during its 10th launch on January 28, 1986.
In all, he logged 793 hours in space and retired as deputy director of the Johnson Space Center in May 1994.
Weitz was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1932, and graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1954, according to NASA. He then joined the Navy, serving on a destroyer before being chosen for flight training and earning his wings as a Naval Aviator in September 1956. He served in various naval squadrons, including service in Vietnam, before joining the Astronaut Corps.
According to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Weitz returned to the Navy after his mission on Skylab mission and retired as a captain in July 1976 after serving 22 years. He then came out of retirement to re-join NASA.
"Paul Weitz's name will always be synonymous with the space shuttle Challenger. But he also will be remembered for defying the laws of gravity - and age," said Curtis Brown, board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and an astronaut and veteran of six space flights. "Before it became commonplace to come out of retirement, Paul was a pioneer. He proved 51 was just a number."
The foundation is supported by astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station programs and annually provides scholarships for 45 students.
Written by BOB CHRISTIE
Copyright © 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
39 Entries
November 28, 2017
What a life led. My sincere sympathies for your family's loss. Please find comfort from loving family and friends and the One who yearns to support us and reunite you with all our loved ones.
November 4, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
( HOT DOG ) Logsdon
November 2, 2017
In our thoughts. He will be missed!
( HOT DOG ) Logsdon
November 2, 2017
Capt.Paul Weitz was a true mans man. In 73 my friends and I would look up into the Vietnam night sky and try to spot Skylab. He is now in our Lords embrace.
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October 31, 2017
Offering my heartfelt condolences and prayers for the family of Paul. May Almighty God in his infinite wisdom grant solace to the family during this most challenging time. Paul was truly amazing and accomplished man of integrity. He will be truly missed. With Love & Prayers
M M
October 30, 2017
To the family and friends. May you find comfort in knowing that your dear one is safe in the memory of God who will remember all the details about him, and bring him back again.
Kimberlie Prothro
October 29, 2017
I am saddened to read this obituary. My heart goes out to his family. Gods Love be with everyone that Loved and knew Mr. Weitz.
Franklin Family
October 28, 2017
To the family of Paul Weitz, please accept our sincere condolences. We are so saddened to hear of your loss. Paul was an amazing and talented individual. May the God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn sustain your family during this challenging time. (Isaiah 61:1, 2)
October 28, 2017
Rest in peace.
October 28, 2017
With heartfelt sympathy. Please accept my deepest condolences. May you continue to cherish his precious memories together. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort to offer you comfort ad to give you the strength to endure during these difficult times ahead.
Carlotta
October 27, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Weitz family and friends at this difficult time.
October 27, 2017
Please except my sincere condolences to Mr. Paul Weitz Family,
I am deeply saddened by the loss that you have encountered. May you find comfort in God's words at 1Thessalonians 4:14. May the love of family and friends carry you through your grief at this time today and in the days to come.
Phoenix,Arizona
Natalie S.
October 27, 2017
Weep With Those Who Weep
Keep encouraging one another and building one another up.1 THESS. 5:11. My Condolences
October 26, 2017
I'm sorry for your loss. May God grant you peace during this sad time Phillippians 4:6,7.
October 26, 2017
Truly saddened to hear this news. Paul Weitz's fine legacy will surely be remembered. I hope to meet him in Paradise! (Luke23:43)
October 26, 2017
Sorry for the family loss , may the God of peace be wth you during this difflcutt time ,Matthew 5:4
Barbara Jean McClymont Wocosky
October 25, 2017
Paul, May the angels guide, guard and protect you on your last and best flight. I have happy childhood memories of my cousin Paul with his sisters and Aunt Violet , and other cousins. . Love and prayers to family. RIP PJ.
October 25, 2017
Wow!!!! I remember this picture growing up as a young boy!!! Praying for family and friends that Paul touched and for healing hearts for those that miss him!! And most of all praying he is at the right hand of our Lord & Savior!!! Much love from the Lenarths
October 25, 2017
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
October 25, 2017
May the family find peace and comfort in knowing all sickness, all pain and death will one day be gone for this has been promised.
Bernadette Gallegos
October 25, 2017
Rest in peace Paul Weitz.
October 25, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to the family on the passing of your love one please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Cy.
Betty Armour
October 25, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the family of Paul Weitz. Psalms 90: 10 Shows how he lived a long life of special mightiness from God. May the comfort of God be with you all during this time of grief. Keep his many, many, many memories close in your hearts and minds and cherish them forever.
Challenger
Frank Lucero
October 25, 2017
Thanks for all you did for America and the space program. If it wasn't for good people such as yourself, we wouldn't have a space program as we know it today. You're flying with the stars again, this time for eternity. Rest in Peace.
CC.
October 25, 2017
To the WEITZ FAMILY in their time of grief, I'm truly sorry for your loss. May 'God' give you peace during this most difficult time.
Isaiah 9:7
Cathy Faycheck-Truden
October 25, 2017
I had the honor of having my picture taken with Paul when he visited his ala-mater Harbor Creek High School in 1974. As a senior,the Space Program was an important part of our past, present and future. My parents,aunt and uncle knew both Sue and Paul as childhood friends.They would tell me stories about their antics as teenagers. I felt like a knew a super hero, a role model to look up to. Paul certainly was a hero to our community and country. In later years our football stadium was named after this brave pioneer. RIP Paul Weitz and enjoy the homecoming with all your high school friends.
Cathy Faycheck Truden
October 25, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lou Ann Unger
October 25, 2017
May you fly among the Best and soar
with Angels.
Joan
October 25, 2017
May you now live in those heavenly places you visited. RIP
Anna
October 24, 2017
Thank you for his years of service to our country and to the NASA Program . Condolences to his family.
Ron Kendrick
October 24, 2017
Sad to hear of the passing of Paul Weitz. Since I was a kid living here in Florida I've followed the Space Program. He's one of the true Space heroes.
Harry Simpson
October 24, 2017
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
October 24, 2017
One of our country's early, and great, space pioneers. Rest In Peace, Captain Weitz.
Adrian Barnette
October 24, 2017
We'll miss you !
October 24, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.
Scott Chamberland
October 24, 2017
Rest in Peace
Joseph Robson
October 24, 2017
Rest In Peace Commander. You are Now with The Chief Commander. Godspeed.
Jean Rice
October 24, 2017
I have wonderful memories of Paul, Sue and their children from the tours of duty Paul and my husband, Bob served in China Lake, CA and Whidby Island, WA. Sending my condolences .
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