William Anders, a renowned Apollo 8 astronaut and retired major general, perished in a plane crash off the San Juan Islands, Washington, at the age of 90. His death marks a considerable loss to the world of space exploration as he was famous for taking the celebrated “Earthrise” photograph during the 1968 Apollo 8 mission.
The tragic accident occurred at roughly 11:40 a.m. local time on June 7, 2024, when a Beech A45 plane crashed near Roche Harbor, Washington. The U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest confirmed the incident, and search and rescue operations were conducted by Air Station Port Angeles and Station Port Angeles.
The news of William Anders’ death was confirmed by his son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, in a conversation with The Associated Press. He said, “The family is heartbroken. He was an exceptional pilot, and we will miss him deeply.” Greg Anders also mentioned that his father’s body was recovered shortly after the crash.
Born to a Navy lieutenant on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, William Alison Anders grew up in San Diego, California. He completed his education at the United States Naval Academy at the age of 22 and later obtained a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Anders was selected by NASA in 1964 and served as a backup pilot for the Gemini XI and Apollo 11 missions, in addition to being the lunar module pilot for Apollo 8.
During the Apollo 8 mission, Anders worked alongside Navy veteran James Lovell and Air Force veteran Frank Borman. It was in this mission that he clicked the iconic “Earthrise” photograph from their command module orbiting the Moon. In a 2015 Forbes interview, he commented on the photo, saying, “The view highlights the beauty and fragility of Earth.” This photo is credited with inspiring the global environmental movement.
Upon the conclusion of his space career, Anders retired from the Air Force and NASA in 1969. He subsequently held numerous prominent positions, including executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. ambassador to Norway. In the private sector, he served as chairman and CEO of General Dynamics.
In 1996, Anders and his wife Valerie founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state. The museum, now located in Burlington, showcases aircraft, military vehicles, and various artifacts from Anders’ career.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
William Anders is survived by his wife, Valerie, his sons Greg, Alan, Glen, and Eric, and his daughters Diana and Gayle. His significant contributions to space exploration and environmental conservation continue to define his enduring legacy.
