James Beggs

Keith's note: A note is circulating in the DC space community: "Our great former Administrator, Jim Beggs, died last night (April 23) at his home in Bethesda. Jim was 94 and died just before midnight last. He was at peace and with family throughout. There will be a private internment and a Celebration of Life in about a year, depending. Messages can be sent to the Gawler's funeral home website this week end which would very be nice."

I only have one Jim Beggs story to share and it is funny and prescient. In 1997 a year or so after NASAWatch went online I was introduced to Beggs at some event. He was not exactly a web surfer but he was aware of NASAWatch and what it was doing - and how it upset a lot of people inside the agency. He smiled and said "I don't know why these people at NASA are all so upset. Back in my day we just assumed that anything we put on paper would get out. Keep it up. It will teach them a lesson." And then he smiled and patted me on the back.

Ad Astra Mr. Beggs.

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