Who Is Gene Cernan? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gene Cernan was born on March 14, 1934, and sadly passed away on January 16, 2017, at the age of 82. Cernan is best known for being the last person to walk on the Moon, specifically during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. His adventurous spirit and contributions to NASA have cemented his legacy, making him an icon in the field of aerospace.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1934 |
| Age | 82 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 16 January, 2017 |
| Died Place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
Gene Cernan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his active years, Gene Cernan stood at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and maintained a weight around 165 lbs (75 kg). These stats contributed to his fitness, which was essential for tough training and missions related to space travel.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gene Cernan was married twice. He first married his high school sweetheart, Jan Nanna, in 1961, and the couple had a daughter named Tracy. They divorced in 1970. He later married Barbara Atwell in 1976, and they remained together until his death. Cernan had a deep bond with his family and was known for his commitment to his children and loved ones.
His father was of Slovak descent and his mother was of Czech ancestry. He had one older sister, Dolores Ann (1929–2019). Cernan grew up in the Illinois towns of Bellwood and Maywood. He was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Second Class.
After attending McKinley Elementary School in Bellwood, and graduating from Proviso Township High School in Maywood in 1952, he studied at Purdue University where he became a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, serving as a treasurer.
At Purdue, Cernan was also president of the Quarterdeck Society and the Scabbard and Blade, and a member Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. He was on the military ball committee and was a member of the Skull and Crescent leadership honor society.
After his sophomore year, he accepted a partial Navy ROTC scholarship that required him to serve aboard USS Roanoke (CL-145) between his junior and senior years. In 1956, Cernan received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering; his final GPA was 5.1 out of 6.0.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Gene Cernan's net worth was estimated to be around $1 million. Although this figure may appear modest compared to the financial expectations of today’s celebrities, Cernan's wealth stemmed primarily from his career as an astronaut, where he played key roles in significant NASA missions, and through various public speaking engagements and television appearances.
Career, Business and Investments
Gene Cernan's career began when he joined NASA in the early 1960s. Over the years, he flew on three space missions: Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 17. Beyond space expeditions, he was deeply involved in aerospace engineering and served as a consultant for different companies in the field. He also made several television appearances, sharing his experiences and insights about space travel.
After retiring from NASA, he worked in private industry, including a prominent role at the aerospace company Rockwell International, where he influenced numerous projects related to space exploration. Cernan was also active in various speaking engagements, sharing his unique experiences and promoting space exploration to inspire future generations.
During his naval career, Cernan logged more than 5,000 hours of flying time, including 4,800 hours in jet aircraft. Cernan also made at least 200 successful landings on aircraft carriers.
Social Network
Given his significant impact as an astronaut, Gene Cernan had a substantial presence on social media during his lifetime. His accounts shared insights into space, expeditions, and promotion of STEM education. Posthumously, his legacy is remembered across several platforms, where fans and followers continue to celebrate his contributions to humanity and space exploration.
As Cernan prepared to climb the ladder for the final time, he spoke these words, currently the last spoken by a human being standing on the lunar surface: "Bob, this is Gene, and I'm on the surface; and, as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come—but we believe not too long into the future—I'd like to just (say)
what I believe history will record: that America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow.
And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus–Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
Education
Gene Cernan attended Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956. His education provided a strong foundation for his career in aviation and space exploration, and he later served as a naval aviator before joining NASA in 1963.
Before becoming an astronaut, Cernan graduated with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in Indiana, and joined the U.S. Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). After flight training, he received his naval aviator wings and served as a fighter pilot.
In 1963, he received a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Achieving the rank of captain, he retired from the Navy in 1976.
