The University of Memphis Department of Physics and Materials Science celebrated the life and achievements of Bill Weppner and three other Apollo 13 space flight program members on Friday night in the UC Auditorium. The commemoration consisted of a 90th birthday celebration for Weppner, followed by a showing of the 2017 film, "Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo".
Weppner, a former Apollo Flight Controller for missions 7 through 13, a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, and retired Mathematics professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College, was surprised with a large chocolate birthday cake with vanilla icing that showcased his favorite Apollo mission.
“Apollo 8,” Weppner said when asked about his favorite mission. “Because we went to the moon. Once we did trans-lunar injection and left the Earth’s surface, no human had ever done that before, ever, it was all new. We practiced it, but we had never done it for real.”
Since about 2015, Weppner has shared stories of his time with NASA across the Memphis area, hoping to inspire the next generation of explorers.
“It makes me feel warm, humble, and lucky to be alive to still be able to tell the story, and it’s a great story,” Weppner said. “And what makes it so great, is the people in the photos there, are around 25 years old, and they’re doing all that great stuff. And it’s going to continue, so the experiences will be there for the next generation of people coming around.”
Students, faculty and community members filled the UC Theater to hear from Weppner and enjoy the Apollo film. The event began at 5 p.m. and lasted until after 8 p.m., drawing many who said they simply wanted the chance to hear from a living legend.
William Wofford, a University of Memphis student who had attended a previous campus event featuring Weppner, said he made sure to return for this early World Space Week program.
“It’s like talking to a giant in a way,” Wofford said. “He was there, he was a part of it. Someone who was part of something so incredible and something that’s one of those achievements we haven’t really matched in generations.”
As part of World Space Week, Oct. 4-10, the Department of Physics and Materials Science will also host free in-person tours of the Memphis Voyage Solar System. Students can sign up for a tour time on the department’s website.
Sam Trigg can be contacted at sctrigg@memphis.edu.
