Ox Ridge fifth grader Piper Van Wagenen, one of Neil Armstrong’s 10 grandchildren, spoke during a memorial service celebrating the life of her grandfather, Friday, Aug. 31, at the Camargo Club in Cincinnati. (NASA/Bill Ingalls photos)
Ox Ridge fifth grader Piper Van Wagenen, one of Neil Armstrong’s 10 grandchildren, spoke at her grandfather’s memorial service in Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 31. Those who attended said Piper was composed and eloquent, and reflected the high standards of integrity that her grandfather was known for.
Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, died Saturday, Aug. 25, due to complications that arose from heart surgery earlier in the month. He was 82.
Armstrong’s feat became even more memorable when he uttered the now-famous words upon setting foot onto the moon: “That’s one small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind.”
In a statement released by Armstrong’s family, they discussed the astronaut’s commitment to living a life of integrity.
“While we mourn the loss of a very good man,” the family wrote, “we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
“For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”
The family suggested memorial contributions could be made to the following organizations: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Neil Armstrong New Frontiers Initiative, the Telluride Foundation’s Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund.
More info: NeilArmstrongInfo.com
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