Wally Funk, Trailblazing Aviation Pioneer, Dies at 87

Wally Funk, a remarkable figure in aviation history and the oldest woman to journey into space, has passed away at the age of 87.

Funk died on Wednesday in her apartment at an assisted living facility in Grapevine, Texas, which is near Dallas and Fort Worth. This news was shared by Grapevine City Councilman Duff O’Dell, who also served as her caregiver and was by her side. Funk had been experiencing health challenges, including recent falls and a leg infection.

O’Dell mentioned in a phone interview, “The cost was high.”

Funk stood out in history, being one of just 13 women to take the same rigorous tests as NASA’s male astronauts back in the early 1960s. Unfortunately, she was not given the opportunity to fly into space at that time. However, she finally realized her dream in 2021 when she flew aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket.

At 82, she became the oldest individual to reach space, a record that was subsequently surpassed by William Shatner and Ed Dwight, who both made history at the age of 90.

Bezos had chosen Funk as his “guest of honor” for the flight, which took place in West Texas.

Blue Origin honored Funk on social media, describing her as “a trailblazer in every sense of the word.”

O’Dell reflected on Funk’s bright spirit, saying she was “the most eternally optimistic person” he had ever encountered.

He recalled how many men had told her, “No, you can’t do this, no, you can’t do that.” But Funk faced those challenges with determination rather than anger.

Funk broke barriers, becoming the first female inspector at the Federal Aviation Administration and later the first female aviation safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, as highlighted in a biography released by Grapevine.

Although she and her fellow female pilots trained as astronauts during the Mercury 13 mission in the 1960s, they were ultimately denied astronaut status.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman paid tribute to Funk, stating, “Wally Funk never stopped believing that one day we would reach space. Her passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans. Godspeed, Wally.”