Ушел из жизни Георгий Гречко, Почетный Председатель Силы Дружбы Москвы / The Honorary Chairman of Moscow Friendship Force Dr. Georgy Grechko passed away April 8, 2017

Dr. Georgy Grechko, a renowned cosmonaut and the Honorary Chairman of Moscow Friendship Force Club from the very beginning, passed away April 8, 2017.

Наталья Гуськова, президент Московского клуба Сила Дружбы: Ушел из жизни Геoргий Михайлович Гречко. Светлый яркий, жизнелюбивый человек. Ему было 85 лет. 11 апреля 2017 года в Большом зале Троекуровского кладбища состоялась гражданская панихида и отпевание. Церемония захоронения прошла на Аллее космонавтов. Множество людей собралось, чтобы отдать последнюю дань и почести великому человеку, который стоял у истоках освоения космоса. Уходят титаны. Люди иного калибра. Горжусь, что знала этого человека. Прощайте, Георгий Михайлович.

Mr. IVANOVICH Grujica of Friends-Partners Space (FPSPACE) organisation: Another space hero gone. Grechko passed away in the morning on Saturday, the 8th of April, in the Veresayev’s Hospital in Moscow. He was born in May 1931, so his age was actually 86. You may remember approx. a year ago, soon after the death of Gybaryev, Grechko was hospitalised due to problem with his heart. When asked how explains to be so lucky (he survived the siege of Leningrad during the II WW, during parachute training broken his leg, had a fire in space station, worked in open space through the open hatch of docking mechanism, had number of adventures in polar and mountain regions) Grechko said it is because he was protected by two angels. Namely, when he was born, his two grandmothers (from father Ukrainian’s and mother Belarus’ side) separately and secretly (without knowing between each other) had baptised Grechko in two different churches. Grechko said that “according tradition when you a baptised you’ve got an angel-protector who takes care of you during your entire life. As I’ve been baptised twice, two angels are my protectors”. With Grechko’s death, there are no surviving cosmonauts in the crews of Voskhod, Soyuz-11, -12, -14, -15 and -17 and Soyuz T-3. From Vostok programme, Bykovskiy (83) and Teryeshkova (80) are alive, as from the first cosmonaut group (20 people), in addition to Bykovskiy, Leonov, Volynov and Gorbatko.

Mr. Brian Harvey of Friends-Partners Space (FPSPACE) organisation: Georgi Grechko was one of the first cosmonauts to come to Dublin where he gave a top-class presentation to a big audience. As well as being informative about his spaceflights, he loved telling stories and jokes and adventures, he was fun to be with and had a great personal manner. The audience warmed to him in no time. He was very modest and understated his own achievements.

Dr. Michael K. Launer, Vice President of RussTech Language Services, Inc.: I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend two days with Grechko many years ago when he visited Florida State University, interpreting for him during his visit, which included a public presentation and a press conference. A congenial visitor, and he was helpful and patient with his interpreter!

Dr. David R. Woods of Friends-Partners Space (FPSPACE): I too had an opportunity to meet with Grechko, this time at my school: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). I was able to meet and talk with him at a luncheon before his presentation on campus. I remember him as speaking excellent English and not requiring an interpreter. He was very cordial and informative, with a big smile. I just wish I knew then so much more about the manned Soviet lunar program that I do now. Perhaps he could have provided some new insights. Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting him.

Dr. Peter Pesavento of Friends-Partners Space (FPSPACE) : Georgiy Grechko passes at 85: Associated Press report at https://apnews.com/745811357d33405fb40b4ad9d9138494?utm_campaign=SocialF....