RIP Wally Funk

[melax]

Historic aviator Wally Funk, the oldest person to travel to space, dies at the age of 87

Wally Funk has died at 87. She made history with a Blue Origin spaceflight in 2021 and spent decades breaking barriers in aviation.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

 

[Roger Roger]

Anybody else a NIFA alum? I think @adler?

 

[Hiboglossi]

Anybody else a NIFA alum? I think @adler?

I am and I recall @JustinS saying he is as well. I remember briefly meeting Wally at the 2011 nationals.

 

[Hammertime]

I met her multiple times at NIFA competitions. She was amazing.

 

[trafficinsight]

I met her multiple times at NIFA competitions. She was amazing.

She was the royal navy to our band of pirates. Brian broke the Wally stick, thought she was going to cry when he handed the pieces back to her. Threatened to boot us multiple times over things written on airplanes.

She was a lovable nemesis and I'm glad she finally got her ride into space.

 

[saxman]

I never met her, but my good friend from flight school took flight lessons with her for Private. She lived in DFW. What a legend.