Moon Mission: Apollo 17
Role: Command Module Pilot
Brief Bio: Ronald Ellwin Evans Jr. was an American electrical and aeronautical engineer, U.S. Navy officer, aviator, and NASA astronaut, born on November 10, 1933, in St. Francis, Kansas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas in 1956 and a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1964, and flew combat missions during the Vietnam War before joining NASA in 1966.
Did you know: During his time at the University of Kansas, Ronald Evans earned extra money by selling Chesterfield cigarettes and had a cigarette vending machine installed in the Sigma Nu fraternity house to support his college education.
Afterward: After retiring from NASA in March 1977, Evans worked as a coal industry executive and later in marketing and consulting roles, including with Sperry Flight Systems and a partnership with a Japanese entrepreneur for a space exploration theme park, until his death in 1990.
Key Statements: "Hot diggety dog!"
