Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I had the pleasure of meeting John Newcomb for what would be my first and only time. I found out he was giving a presentation on his recent book, “A Bunch of Plumbers,” at Arts on Main in February. I attended with my friend and her parents. Her dad retired from NASA, and he had known and worked with Mr. Newcomb from his time at Langley Research Center.

We listened to Mr. Newcomb talk about his work on the Lunar Orbiter and Viking projects, and he told the famous story of Jim Martin, Viking Project Manager, hanging up the phone in frustration on President Ford. Afterwards, I was personally introduced to Mr. Newcomb, pictures were taken of us, and he signed a book for me.

I know that John Newcomb did not realize how special it was for me to have met him. By writing this letter now, I hope his family can know how meaningful that experience was for me. He touched my life for just one day, yet he touched the world forever with his contributions to spa...