Rick-Husband-Obituary

Rick Husband

Obituary

Four days before he was killed aboard space shuttle Columbia, Col. Rick Husband took a moment of silence to remember the astronauts who died in previous space disasters.

"It is today that we remember and honor the crews of Apollo 1 and Challenger," the shuttle commander said on Tuesday, the 17th anniversary of the Challenger explosion.

"They made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives and service to the country and for all mankind," Husband radioed from Columbia before the airwaves went silent. "Their dedication and devotion to the exploration of space was an inspiration to each of us and still motivates people around the world to achieve great things and service to others."

The 45-year-old Air Force colonel, a test pilot before he was selected as an astronaut in 1994, was on his second spaceflight. He piloted the Discovery shuttle for 10 days in 1999 on a mission that involved the crew's first docking aboard an international space station.

Husband told his father he wanted to be an astronaut at age 5.

"It's been pretty much a lifelong dream and just a thrill to be able to get to actually live it out," Husband said in a recent interview.

Husband studied at Texas Tech University and earned his master's degree in 1990 from California State University in Fresno. He took a red Bulldog sweatshirt into space with him and planned to present it to the school in April, university spokesman Tom Uribes said.

In southeast Houston, where he lived with his wife and two children, he sang in the Grace Community Church choir.

"He was a wonderful man, a very strong Christian," neighbor Debbie Chatham said, sobbing Saturday. "He was very dedicated to God and helping other people."


Copyright © 2003 The Associated Press


Guest Book

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I will missed you. Rest in Peace.

Happy Birthday Rick, I think of you and the great leader you were, I think of you all the time
"Columbia, OTC, best wishes from our team to yours, best of luck on your international mission to discover the science, peace and potential that only SpaceHab can offer"

You bought me to Jesus by the way you lived your life

Rest in Peace

Rick, I offten think about you

i met Rick at Boscombe Down England and no i am not in the forces but a guy who was doing long term maintenance to the air crew building. He was the guy who let me leave all my work tools in his office overnight rather than carry them all the way back to the gate each night. Although i did not know him greatly i am glad his dream of being the boss on the shuttle was fulfilled. RIP my friend

Happy Birthday Rick, you are not just a true amarican hero but your my hero

As a retired Air Force veteran,please except my deepest condolences. May Jehovah the God of all comfort wrap His compassionate arms around your loving family. John 11:25

Rick's and the crews' photos are on our family refrigerator. We will not forget them. Peace to you and your family. Take Care.