Kirt attended Washington State University, where he graduated with a degree in Physics and later went on to earn his Master's in Business. Upon graduation from WSU, he entered the USAF, where he had the privilege of flying the T-38, B-52, and closed his military life flying the U-2.
He then began flying for Pan American World Airways, where he flew until its demise in 1991. While there, he met his wife, Andie. After the Pan Am days, they married and moved to Japan, where he flew for Japan Air System for the next seven years. After returning to the US in 1998, he joined the UPS family and flew A310, MD-11, and 747-400 aircraft, retiring in 2014 as a Captain on the 757/767. When asked about his flying days, he would often say, "I’ve never worked a day in my life!” He loved flying, and it was apparent anytime he had the opportunity to talk about it.
Kirt's lifelong desire was for interstellar travel. This launch fulfills that desire.
*****
A Dream Come True
By: Kirt Lindeman
12 April 1980, Above 60,000’
I’ve walked this earth among my fellow man
And trod the ground as other mortals do.
I’ve tasted life as you have done
And dreamt sweet dreams of you.
I’ve longed for more than God can give
And taken what I can
Of things that have been offered up
I’ve grown to be a man.
Yet still within my heart
There lives a little boy,
Who dreams of greater things
And lusts for greater joys.
When I was young, I traveled with my mind.
Through books I walked in space.
I never dreamed when I grew up
I’d be in such a place.
Yet here I am; my head among the stars.
The world goes drifting by.
The ground is trod by mortals still
But I have reached the sky.
OSN-OSN
Mission Code - O-9
68-10340 article #062**
**Lost on 5 October 1980 at Osan AB, Korea. USAF Pilot: Cleveland H. Wallace survived.
