God Speed Michael Collins. May you Rest in Peace.

When I was 15 in 1975 I read “Carrying the Fire” and then wrote him a letter complimenting him on it and mailed it to the nascent National Air and Space Museum of which he was the first Director. He demonstrated the stuff of which kings are made and tapped out a thank you note on an old manual typewriter himself (no secretary’s initials appearing anywhere) thanking me for my interest and wishing me a good career in science. A nice gesture by an undoubtedly busy man. His framed note is one of my most prized possessions to this day.

RIP and a hearty toast to one of the less heralded, though no less accomplished members of that truly elite group known as 'Astronauts'. I will now read his book and fondly remember the time when a sense of moral and patriotic cohesion in this country enabled those trips to the 'Moon'!

The effective use of poignant sarcasm and sardonic wit, to me, are far better indicators of intellect than any IQ test could hope to measure. He excelled in both!

"I was the most lonesome person in the whole universe, at least according to the newspapers," Collins joked in a 2014 NASA panel. "Actually, I was so glad to get behind the moon so Mission Control would shut up."

Touche.

RIP Michael Collins, as an old Materials NDT Engineer, I am glad to have been able to have put my hands on some of the hardware that went to space on the Apollo program. Those were different times, national unity was real and National politics were not the slash and burn they are today. Sadly China will be the ones going to the moon before the US gets back.

I never cared for him being called "The Forgotten Astronaut", he was all class & style with a but of wit just for fun. :)

RIP mr collins..you were a great representation of what our country needs..

Difficult to imagine the solitude of orbiting the moon, alone- further from Earth than any other human- even those most heralded that landed on the moon's surface.....And on the dark side- he was even isolated from the chatter of Mission Control (as he said, sorta a good thing!)

Rest in peace explorer, thank you for being Michael Collins

Another giant has left us and there aren't many left.
He was remarkable in his ability to manage fame and never let it overtake him.
R.I.P. Mr. Collins...

Excellent.

So sad that generation is now almost gone but thankfully live on in their deeds and their words. "Carrying the Fire" may be the best book of the Apollo program and should be required reading in middle and high schools instead of the divisive rot forced upon kids.

Rest in Peace Michael Collins. You were such an important part of Space History.We salute you.

Thank you Jim. We will never forget these men. They were our heroes and our inspiration.
Sad to see another one Going West.

A superb engineer, a wizard with a slide rule, and a delightfully dry sense of humor. Honor the man, the legend was true.

Rest In Peace Sir.

Never forgotten.

I was fortunate to meet him at the Kansas Cosmosphere several years ago. Very humble about his experiences and generous with his time to answer rookie questions. Truly a great man.

Sitting up in the small hours of an English morning, with my father, watching the first moon walk on shadowy black and white TV (when the planet united in awe at the achievement, was a lifelong memory.

Apparently his final words to Armstrong and Aldrin, as they made their way into the LEM to commence the powered descent to the lunar surface, were: "please come back." Definitely The Right Stuff.

Safe travels, Mr. Collins.

Mike's flown West "“To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check."" a salute to you Mike!

General Collins passed (not past) without fanfare just as he lived his life. He ensured the safe return of all from the moon's surface to earth in July 69 (not June).

I was but 8 years old when Neil and Buzz stepped on the moon, and watched it live as well, but thinking back, I am sad that they did not feature more of Michael during that short time. Godspeed. He was pretty down to earth for sure.

I had the honor of knowing MGen Collins. First witnessing the launch of Apollo 11. Then my father worked for him at the National Air and Space Museum. He interviewed me for a letter of recommendation to the US Naval Academy. He is a West Point Alum and had to ask why not West Point. I told him; my goal is to be a carrier pilot. I distinctly remembered his response. "You mean you want to land on a carrier, a postage stamp in the middle of the Ocean? That's crazy!" I responded Sir you went to the moon" In his casual yet formal demeanor, he said, "oh yeah but I had a lot of help." He was always humble, willing to share and give credit to those around him. What a fine man.

On earth he touch the face of GOD
Now he see the the face of GOD
RIP my faithful servant

Not much in the media about him also, as first director, bringing in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum(the most popular jewel in the Smithsonian crown) on schedule and on budget for its Bicentennial opening.

RIP Michael. Fair winds and following seas. Rest easy, we have the watch.

Great sense of humor. Michael Collins has taken his last flight. RIP

Correct usage is "passed away" vs past away. Just saying---. Good to see the unheralded receive long due accolades!

The only human to go to the dark side. Mr Collins may the force be with you. RIP.

One of my favorite Jethro Tull songs came from their 3rd album, Benefit.
For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2GTNhmPbtg
Had empathy for MC ever since I first heard this.
RIP, Sir Michael

Rest in Peace Mike Collins
Kia Kaha

Dear Michael Collins, you are now flying with God and the angels in infinite space . Thank you for your service to our country. Contrary to the announcement above, none of the Apollo 11 crew is 'forgotten'
they also have an incorrect date. On July 20, 1969 I watched for 12 hours until I saw the final touch down. NOT forgotten is Cdr Collins, who remained in orbit around the moon until time for pick up of the crew for return to earth. Definitely NOT forgotten

I was fortunate to be atop the VAB to see the launch. The mighty roar of the Saturn V rocket was one I will never forget. God Speed Micheal Collins

Excuse me in July of 1969.

I was a field engineer on the installation and debugging of the Apollo Mission Simulator at NASA MSC outside of Houston and interacted with many of the astronauts. Mike was a real gentleman and couldn't wait for us to finish our work and start training on it. This was in 1965-66 so I never had the opportunity to talk to him after Apollo 11. I sure would have liked that conversation.

Forgotten by whom???