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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Neil Armstrong's picture shines out from a TV screen during today's memorial service in Washington.
Even his friends acknowledge that it wasn't easy to make Neil Armstrong laugh: One of his crewmates on the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Michael Collins, recalled this week that history's first moonwalker "always seemed serious and businesslike, but you could make him laugh if you tried."
Armstrong could make others laugh, too: That came through in a couple of the memories his friends shared today at the national memorial service at Washington National Cathedral. Here are two tales that sparked laughs amid the tears:
Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, recalled that Armstrong was once asked how he felt when he was guiding the Eagle lunar module down to the moon's surface with only 15 seconds' worth of fuel left. The way Cernan remembered the story, Armstrong thought for a moment and answered, "Well, when the gauge says empty, we all know there's a gallon or two left in the tank." When the laughter subsided, Cernan added, "Now there is a man who has always been in control of his own destiny. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is vintage Neil Armstrong."
Former Treasury Secretary John Snow, a golfing buddy of Armstrong's, said the astronaut was notorious for sizing up his shots meticulously, to the point of calculating how dew on the green would affect the roll of a putt. "You'd sometimes wonder, 'Neil, are you ever going to hit the ball?" Snow said. "He couldn't help being the engineer."
For more about the lighter as well as the heavier side of Neil Armstrong, check out the complete video of today's ceremony on Ustream, NASA's Flickr photo gallery and this memorial video:
The people who worked with Neil Armstrong -- commander of the first Apollo crew to walk on the Moon -- pay tribute to his enduring friendship, work ethic, and sincerity.
More about Neil Armstrong:
- Nation bids farewell to first moonwalker
- Neil Armstrong chose burial at sea
- Here's how to honor Neil Armstrong
- Lunar pioneers and VIPs pay respects
- PhotoBlog: Tributes from family, friends, nation
- Neil Armstrong, first to walk on moon, dies at 82
- Armstrong family request: Wink at the moon
- Neil Armstrong would still choose to go to the moon
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with Cosmic Log as well as NBCNews.com's other stories about science and space, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered to your email in-box every weekday. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
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Good article, Alan. Thanks for the info.
Did you know (probably so) that Armstrong's greatest fear when the landing was actually taking place was that the feet of the craft would sink into several feet of moon dust? The believed age of the moon combined with the believed rate of dust accumulation led scientists to worry that several feet of dust would envelop the craft and keep it from taking off again. That's why the landing craft was outfitted with large 'duck feet.'
Nice story but did you know that the bottom part of the Lunar Module including the duck feet stay on the moon as a launch platform. Only the upper part of the craft went back to the command module. Godspeed Mr. Armstrong. I will never forget watching that landing as an 8 year old watching a black and white TV!
since i know computer i chose this picture the moon and earth
Armstrong , with his team , with moon, are still in future , would not became the past ,
we have song for Armstrong says (i am.. and.. moon... neighbors)
In Yeager's book, he recounts the story of Armstrong getting their jet stuck in the mud on a lake bed near Edwards. Yeager insisted that the lake bed was still muddy. Armstrong thought the weather had dried it out enough, all the Data said so. Yeager insisted "I've been flying over these lake beds for years and I tell you it's still no good." Armstrong insisted otherwise. Yeager wouldn't take the responsibility of taking a plane out there and getting it stuck so Armstrong flew them out there. The minute they touched down, the mud sucked up the wheels and they were stuck. Yeager gave him a "I told you so!" and Armstrong had nothing to say.
From what I've been told, he had a major ego and most couldn't stand being around him. Meglomaniac.
Way to trash someone great whom you have never met and have no hope of ever emulating, let alone surpassing in accomplishments. Feel more important now?
It would take a major ego to accomplish what he accomplished. Every fighter pilot I've ever met had a major ego. Who else would know beyond a reasonable doubt THEY COULD FLY THE DAMN MACHINE and get it back! There is a place for major egos!
Just for grins, Claire, would you be willing to fly what he flew, where he flew, and etc?
Gee, Claire I would put Armstrongs accomplishments up against yours any day, that is if you have any.
Gee, Claire, you have to learn not to believe everything you're told.
Claire, why don't you tell us who told you, and what their knowledge of Armstrong was.
I'd bet you a used pantyliner that you don't know what the eff you are talking about.
Everyone who knew Armstrong over the years has said he was quiet, self-effacing, and very, very competent.
Can you say the same about yourself??
I feel now what my parents must have felt when Lindbergh died.
I feel like it's creeping up on me, too.
Where oh where, is the second comment/phrase that Neil spoke upon landing on the moon ?
or have we become entirely forgetful as a nation ?
really, I expected it to be the FIRST COMMENT published here !
Armstrong was a pretty good guy. An American hero.