Astronaut Called ‘Perfectionist

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 14

Astronaut Called ‘Perfectionist

The United States astronaut, Mr Walter Cnnninghmn, will be in . Christchurch on Thursday during a five-day visit to New Zealand as guest of honour for the Battle of the Coral Sea commemoration cere-

monies. He will arrive in Auckland on Monday with his wife, at the invitation of the Government

Mr Cunningham has been described as "a determined perfectionist who has displayed tremendous will power in his career.”

He broke his neck on a trampoline after he became an astronaut He not only survived, but the break mended so well that he was cleared to be part of the crew of the three-man Apollo 7 which orbited the earth for 11 days in October last year. Mr Cunningham joined the Navy in 1861, transferred to the Marines, and later left to go to university. He gained a master of arts degree in physics from the University of California, and was within reach of a doctorate when he derided to give Up the academic life and become an astronaut "I derided I wouldn’t ever be a really top man in science, and I like to be near the top tn whatever I do,” Mid Mr Cunningham.

Summing up his feelings after his return from 11 days in space, Mr Cunningham Mid: “Between the time you arrive on this earth and the

time you depart, there_ are many ways of living. I believe the worst way to exist is the way a miser spends his money, clinging to life and paying it out in dear little segments. “The way to live is to spend your life generously, Invest , yourself in it andl then bal-

ance the aheet at the end. it’s not how long you live, but how you spend your life.” One of the fittest and most athletic of the astronauts, Mr Cunningham is particularly interested in gymnastics and handball His one indulgence is a new sports car, which he will not trust to any mechanic except himself. Mr Cunningham is due to land at Christchurch Airport at 1.25 am. on Thursday, and will go straight to the United Service Hotel. He will meet the DeputyMayor (Mr H. P. Smith) at a reception at the Council

Chambers at noon, and in the afternoon will spend an hour With students and staff of the faculty of science at the University of Canterbury at Ham. At 3.45 p.m. Mr Cunningham will attend a science seminar on communications to be held by sixth form students of city secondary schools at Tyndale House, Cashmere. ■ •, . A news cottfertnce will be held at the hotel at 4.45 p.m., and then Mr Cunningham wiU attend a reception given by the English Speaking Union before he leaves to catch the 7 p.m. aircraft for Wellington.