A Quick Update Concerning Robert J. Wood

As I posted previously, I am still experiencing a little bit of a shock over the sudden death of our friend Robert J. Wood.  He was an exceptional human being.

Anyway, isn’t it odd that you find out more about your friends after they are gone than you do when they are alive?  Unbeknown to MeMaw, Mrs. Bulldog, and I, Robert had been an astronaut for NASA!  However, due to the Challenger disaster, his missions were canceled and he never went into space.

What a humble person he was to not even think of mentioning that bit of information to us.  Obviously, he wasn’t one to brag.  I can’t help but sit here and admire him.

Here is a little comment from one of his co-workers that was buried in the comments section of the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

H/T – MeMaw

jcsboeing   February 20, 2009 3:09AM CST

I am one of the lucky people who knew Robert through his work at Boeing.

He lived an amazing life and his family was so important to him.  He and Alicia home schooled their children and invested tremendous time and energy into them.

Many don’t know this, but Robert was an astronaut slated for a science mission; only to be cancelled after the Challenger disaster – STS-61M.

http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/wood_robert.htm

I am a long time a triathlete and cycling enthusiast and Robert entered the sport after listening to my stories. As was his nature, he trained to perfection and excelled in triathlon just like his other pursuits.

Robert’s family, Boeing, triathlon and the community at large have lost one of the people that have helped shape them.

The world is not a better place today, but perhaps it will be in the future if one or more learn from this tragic event.  Or perhaps someone will choose to invest more in their family, health and fitness, or religion and spirituality.

My heart goes out to Robert’s family and friends, and also the Frazer family as everyone tries to cope with this irreversible tragedy.  A sad and poignant reminder of how fragile our lives are and how our choices can affect others.

I’ll be riding the next ride for you Robert.

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