Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Obituary

First AP aerospace writer Howard Benedict dies

CAPE CANAVERAL - Howard Benedict, who chronicled the triumphs and tragedies of America's journey into space in three decades as an award-winning aerospace writer for the Associated Press, has died. He was 77.

In 37 years with the AP, Benedict covered more than 2,000 missile and rocket launches, including 65 human flights from Alan Shepard's historic ride in 1961 to the 34th shuttle mission in 1990.

Benedict died at his home in nearby Cocoa. Survivors include his wife, Joy. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, he joined the AP in 1953 in Salt Lake City and became head of its office in Cape Canaveral in 1959. Two years later, Benedict became the first AP reporter to be given the title "aerospace writer."

[Last modified April 27, 2005, 00:47:14]