Pioneering aviator Wally Funk dies at 87
Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator who volunteered to be an astronaut for NASA’s “Women in Space Program” in 1961, has died at the age of 87, reports BritPanorama.
Funk passed away at her home in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday evening, according to a statement shared by the city on social media. “Wally was a beloved Grapevine resident whose extraordinary accomplishments and generous spirit left an enduring legacy,” the post reads. “The City of Grapevine proudly recognizes Wally Funk, whose extraordinary career has inspired generations by breaking barriers in aviation and space exploration. Funk continues to serve as a global symbol of determination, perseverance, and excellence.”
Born Mary Wallace Funk on February 1, 1939, she dedicated her life to becoming an accomplished pilot, earning her pilot’s license a year after joining the women’s flying club at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of 16. Funk overcame significant barriers, becoming the first female flight inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration and the first female investigator for the National Transportation and Safety Board after being initially rejected by airlines despite holding an Airline Transport Pilot rating.
“Wally Funk’s unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date,” said Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O’Dell, a close friend of Funk, in a statement. “Her courage, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire young people — especially girls — to pursue careers in science, aviation, and space exploration. Grapevine is honored to call Wally Funk one of our own.” Funk logged over 19,600 flying hours and taught more than 3,000 people to fly private and commercial aircraft.
Despite her impressive qualifications and efforts, Funk aspired to go to space and was part of NASA’s “Mercury 13” program in February 1961, which sought to train women for early space missions. Funk became the youngest woman to graduate from the program, excelling in her training and outperforming her male counterparts. However, despite her remarkable achievements and extensive testing, she and the other women were ultimately denied the opportunity to become astronauts.
Reflecting on her aspirations, Funk said, “I got ahold of NASA four times, and said ‘I want to become an astronaut,’ but nobody would take me,” adding, “They say, ‘Wally, you’re a girl, you can’t do that.’ I said, ‘Guess what, doesn’t matter what you are, you can still do it if you want to do it.’” NASA did not select its first class of female astronauts until January 1978, with Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space in June 1983.
Funk’s dream was realized in July 2021, when she was selected as an “honored guest” by Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos to join him on a suborbital flight aboard New Shepard. At 82, she became the oldest woman to travel to space. During the flight, Funk experienced moments of weightlessness and expressed her long-awaited excitement, stating, “I want to go again, fast. I loved every minute of it. I just wish it had been longer.”
Blue Origin paid tribute to Funk, calling her “a pioneer in every sense of the word.” The company highlighted her achievements, noting that she was the youngest of the Mercury 13 and the only one to reach space, concluding, “Her story will continue to inspire generations of future explorers. Fly Wally, Fly.”
Funk’s legacy as a trailblazer in aviation and space exploration will endure, reminding future generations of the importance of perseverance and breaking barriers.
