William Anders, a retired major general and Apollo 8 astronaut, died at the age of 90 in a plane crash into the ocean near the San Juan Islands, Washington. Anders was piloting the plane and was the only person onboard. His demise is a significant blow to the space exploration community as he was renowned for taking the “Earthrise” photo during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.
The plane, a Beech A45, crashed near Roche Harbor, Washington, at about 11:40 a.m. local time on June 7, 2024. The incident was confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest, and rescue operations were carried out by both Air Station Port Angeles and Station Port Angeles.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, the son of the deceased, reported his father’s death to The Associated Press. He stated, “The family is heartbroken. He was an exceptional pilot, and we will miss him deeply.” He added that his father’s body was recovered shortly after the accident.
William Alison Anders, born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, was the son of a Navy lieutenant. He grew up in San Diego, California, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy when he was 22. He later obtained a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1964, NASA selected him, and he served as a backup pilot for Gemini XI and Apollo 11, and as a lunar module pilot for Apollo 8.
Anders, along with Navy veteran James Lovell and Air Force veteran Frank Borman, was part of the Apollo 8 mission. He captured the famous “Earthrise” photo from their command module as it orbited the Moon. In a 2015 Forbes interview, he said, “The view highlights the beauty and fragility of Earth.” This picture is widely believed to have catalyzed the global environmental movement.
Following his stint in space, Anders retired from the Air Force and NASA in 1969. He held several prestigious positions thereafter, including executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. ambassador to Norway. He also served as the chairman and CEO of General Dynamics in the private sector.
In 1996, Anders and his wife Valerie founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state. The museum, now located in Burlington, Washington, exhibits aircraft, military vehicles, and various artifacts from Anders’ illustrious career.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Anders is survived by his wife, Valerie; his sons, Greg, Alan, Glen, and Eric; and his daughters, Diana and Gayle. His enduring legacy includes his invaluable contributions to space exploration and environmental conservation.
