Tribute to Wubbo Ockels

© Nico Vermaas

As a 14 year old boy I had to make a choice about the direction of my education. I dreamt of the stars and wanted to become an astronaut. So I decided to write a letter to Wubbo Ockels, our first Dutch astronaut, who was training for his shuttle mission at NASA in Huntsville, Alabama.

To my utter surprise he not only received and read my letter, but he wrote back. A personal handwritten letter, encouraging me to choose an education in computer science, math, physics, biology. I took his advice and chose exactly that direction.

I did not become an astronaut, but my dreams about the stars came true. Because I now work at the same Radio Observatory where I came to stare at the telescopes when I was that 14 year old boy. And Wubbo was one of the people who inspired and encouraged me at exactly the right moment.

Wubbo passed away this week after a long illness, during which he showed and inspired us all how to make the best of a terrible situation.

Thank you Wubbo Ockels, rest in peace.