Oakland

Influence of John Glenn Resonates Across Bay Area

While John Glenn certainly made his mark on the universe, he also had an influence on a number of people right here in the Bay Area.

The former astronaut, who in 1962 became the first American to orbit Earth, died Thursday at the age of 95.

Paul chapman, now a retired principal, remembers the photo he took with Glenn and the school report he wrote as a boy that Glenn autographed. There are plenty of others in the Bay Area who were inspired by Glenn.

Gerald McKeegan is an astronomer at Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, where there’s a full-size duplicate of the Mercury spacecraft Glenn flew in 1962, with room for just one astronaut who had to be shorter than 5-foot-11.

While McKeegan could barely fit into the capsule, he attributes his pursuits in the space sciences to men such as Glenn.

"There were a couple of things about John Glenn: He was a marine, he was the epitome of an astronaut, by his character, his knowledge and by his bravery," McKeegan said.

McKeegan proudly guides people to the Mercury space suit like the one Glenn wore.

"We need people who will inspire us beyond politics or the economy," he said. "We need something that’s awe-inspiring."

Volunteers at the center say the inspiration Glenn provided is still needed today.

"We need heroes," volunteer Teri Schlesinger said. "We need people willing to take risks, people who see the problems of today and yet move forward."

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