Utah mourning loss of astronaut Don Lind from Apollo, Space Shuttle eras

LOGAN, Utah — Family of Utah astronaut Don Lind are in mourning after he died earlier this week while surrounded by family. He was 92.

Lind trained with the legendary Apollo missions and later flew aboard the Space Shuttle. While he spent 21 years with NASA in Texas, he always considered Utah home. While he taught at Utah State University, his family said he’ll be remembered in part of what he taught as a father.

Kim Lind Wadsworth, Lind’s daughter, remembers a father who was always sharing his amazing experiences with his family. To orbit the earth for seven days was a big deal but it wasn’t the most important role for Lind.

“He was an amazing dad,” Wadsworth said. “He wanted us to learn what he was doing. He wanted us to enjoy…and that’s one of the things I loved about growing up with dad.”

Lind trained with Apollo and ran communication from mission control as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon with Apollo 11 and did the same for Apollo 12.

More recently inspired others with speaking engagements for NASA and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but family came first.

“He said so many times, he said ‘If I’m not a good husband and good father, then the rest does’t matter’ ” Wadsworth said. “Mom and dad were married for 67 years. Mom passed away just two and a half months ago. So we just knew they didn’t want to be apart for very long.

Lind’s thirst for knowledge lives on as Wadsworth and other siblings work in education.

Lind leaves at the dawning of a new age for space travel as NASA prepares to launch Artemis I, sending the Orion spacecraft to the moon. Lind may not be there to see that with his family but they said they are grateful for the time they did have.

“I’am so lucky to have had him as my dad. He was a good man.”

Lind had 22 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.