Neil Armstrong days before his historic steps on the moon

Many can inspire, but few can claim the title of legend.

One legend, Neil Armstrong, passed away on Friday after complications of heart surgery. The first man to walk on the moon was 82 years old and leaves his wife, two sons, a stepson, stepdaughter, 10 grandchildren, a brother and a sister – and a legacy few can match.

In the summer of ’69, Armstrong led the Apollo 11 team of  Edward “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins on the first scheduled space mission to land on the moon.

The two-hour exploration of the lunar surface was truly historic. Armstrong  phoned the United States’ president and shared one of the most famous quotes of the 20th century:

That’s one step for man; one giant leap for mankind.

And then he led the team back to earth.

The fanfare upon returning home was immense. Heralded as heroes, the trio went on a 22-day tour around the world.

After the exciting space mission, Armstrong went along with a quieter life path:

“The single thing which makes any man happiest is the realization that he has worked up to the limits of his ability, his capacity. It’s better, of course, if this work has made a contribution to knowledge, or towards moving the human race a little forward.” 

Not as famous as the “one step for mankind” quote, those words were recorded in a Life magazine interview a few weeks after Neil Armstrong’s safe return to earth. With a mighty accomplishment under his belt, he continued to pursue his career as as a “nerdy engineer.”

With his resume now including a lunar landing, Armstrong worked a “desk job” in Washington, obtained a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from USC, and taught aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati.  In his spare time, he tended to his 200-dairy acre farm near Lebanon, Ohio.

When responding to questions such as “What’s it like to be the first?” Armstrong acknowledged the accomplishment of the lunar walk as the result of many. He always shared the glory: “I was certainly aware that this was the culmination of the work of 300,000 to 400,000 people over a decade.”

The Guardian sums it up:

Sitting in the co-pilot’s seat with his spear (well, you never know, do you?), even Achilles might have been grudgingly impressed, though Armstrong’s lack of melodrama would have annoyed him. And therein perhaps lies the clincher for Armstrong’s heroic status. No boasting, no bullying, just a soft-spoken man who insisted he was only doing his job. They’re the heroes we like best, yes?

Here’s to the person in history who first walked with humility. You will be missed.

(Photo Credit: NASA)