Who Is Homer Hickam? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on February 19, 1943, Homer Hickam currently stands at the age of 82. Renowned for his inspirational works, notably "Rocket Boys," which was later adapted into the film "October Sky," Hickam's storytelling often resonates with themes of aspiration and perseverance. Over the years, he has transitioned from a successful engineer to a prolific author, earning accolades in both fields.
| Occupation | Engineers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1943 |
| Age | 82 Years |
| Birth Place | Coalwood, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Homer Hickam's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Homer Hickam has not publicly disclosed specific measurements, he is often noted for his tall stature, typically believed to be around 6 feet (183 cm) tall. His fitness routine and healthy lifestyle reflect in his appearance, though specific weight figures are not documented.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Homer Hickam has been married twice. His first marriage was to Linda B. Hickam, and they had children together. Later, he married his second wife, Lesley, and the couple shares a deep bond, often seen together at public events. At this stage in his life, Hickam appears content in his relationship, with a focus on family and sharing experiences with loved ones.
Homer Hadley Hickam Jr. (born February 19, 1943) is an American author, Vietnam War veteran, and a former NASA engineer who trained the first Japanese astronauts. His 1998 memoir Rocket Boys (also published as October Sky) was a New York Times Best Seller and was the basis for the 1999 film October Sky.
Hickam's body of written work also includes several additional best-selling memoirs and novels, including the "Josh Thurlow" historical fiction novels, his 2015 best-selling Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, his Wife, and her Alligator and in 2021 the sequel to Rocket Boys titled Don't Blow Yourself Up: The Further Adventures
and Travails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky.
His books have been translated into many languages.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Homer Hickam's estimated net worth is around $1 million. His wealth stems from a successful career in engineering and his extensive portfolio of published books. His various speaking engagements and appearances also contribute significantly to his income.
Career, Business, and Investments
Homer Hickam’s career is a testament to his diverse talents. He began as a coal miner's son, pursuing higher education in engineering, eventually working for NASA. His transition to writing was marked by significant success, with multiple bestselling novels along with non-fiction works. Besides writing, Hickam is involved in speaking engagements and has explored various business ventures, including workshops and educational programs revolving around science and engineering.
Hickam served six years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain in 1970. He served in the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968 as a first lieutenant and combat engineer with C Company, 704th Maintenance Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.
Social Network
Homer Hickam remains active on social media, particularly on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, where he shares insights about his writing, life experiences, and advocacy for education and science. His online presence allows fans and followers to engage with him directly, making him a beloved personality in both literary and engineering communities.
His second book, the memoir Rocket Boys, started as an article "The Big Creek Missile Agency" in Air and Space magazine. In 1998 Delacorte Press published an expanded version of the memoir as a book, the story of his life as the son of a coal miner in Coalwood, West Virginia.
Rocket Boys has since been translated into numerous languages and released as an audiobook and electronic book. Among its many honors, it was selected by The New York Times as one of its "Great Books of 1998" and was an alternate "Book-of-the-Month" selection for both the Literary Guild and the Book of the Month Club.
Rocket Boys was also nominated by the National Book Critics Circle as Best Biography of 1998. In February 1999, Universal Studios released its critically acclaimed film October Sky, based on Rocket Boys (The title "October Sky" is an anagram of "Rocket Boys").
In an interview, Hickam has said of the movie that it was "fine for what it is, a low-budget feel-good movie, but sadly missed the best parts of my memoir.
Still, the world needs feel-good movies and it has done a good job of encouraging young people to go after their dreams." He has since co-written a musical play entitled Rocket Boys the Musical, which, according to Homer Hickam, tells a story closer to the one in his book.
Education
Hickam's academic journey began at Big Creek High School, and he later attended Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in industrial engineering. His educational background laid the foundation for his engineering career, and it's reflected in the scientific concepts often explored in his writings.
In May, 2013, Hickam opposed a zero tolerance policy at Bartow High School which resulted in the expulsion of a student whose science experiment had caused a small explosion.
