ADRIAN HOOKE R.I.P.

I  corresponded with Adrian many time over the years and he was a big fan of the Summervale Blog.

He was keen to attend the reunion and wanted dates so that he could book his tickets from America and get to Ilminster on the right day. 

He was a very clever man who spent most of his life working in the Space Industry both in Florida and California but he never forgot his humble roots in a prefab in Ilminster.

Then I heard he was not well enough to travel.

Today I came across his Obituary.

Adrian Hooke

By Marc Boucher on January 31, 2013 10:59 AM.

Remembering Adrian

"We are sad to let you know that Adrian Hooke died on January 7. He was at home in Malibu with his wife. In his classic fashion, he continued his work on CCSDS and DTN right up through early December."

"Adrian was an admitted Space geek for 46 years. He worked on the Lunar Modules for Apollo 9, 10, 11, and 12, from 1966 to 1969. He was on the flight control teams for the Mariner 9 and 10 missions that visited Mars, Venus, and Mercury. He worked on Voyager and SEASAT, and in 1976-77 he spent a year at the European Space Agency helping with the Shuttle-SpaceLab program."

"Many kind notes are arriving from his colleagues and friends throughout the world. If you would like to do so, his wife Merle McKenzie is honored to receive your memories of him or his career. She is collecting thoughts from his colleagues to share with his children, Jen Hooke Beck and David Hooke."

If you like, you may contact her at:

Merle McKenzie

29660 Zuma Bay Way

Malibu, CA 90265

RIP ADRIAN. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU AND THAT AMAZING RED HAIR WHICH HE INHERITED FROM HIS VERY GLAMOROUS MOTHER.

HERE IS A LOVELY PHOTO HE SENT ME WITH HIS DAD.

Photos from Paignton

I decided to give this Blog a rest for a while as it seemed that, after the reunion it was rather an anti climax.
I did not hear from anyone once the reunion photos had been posted so I shut the Blog down.
However, I recently heard from Roger Everson who sent me a couple of photos he had found.
They were taken in Paignton and I would think somewhere around the early 1960's.

A nice summery photo of, from left to right

Maimie Everson. Cissie Boyce. Rose Symons and Rose Wakeham.
BUT, Who is the girl????

And it looks as though the ladies were on their way to a party - see above.
At the back
Percy Boyce, blending in with the curtains, Michael Cooper but I don't recognise the other man.
Then we have
Maimie,  lady with a glass ?, my Mum,  Joan Wakeham and dear Shirley Hewitt who was married to Michael Cooper.
If you know those I cannot name please let me know.
I also recently heard from Diane (Mothersell) Friend who has moved recently.
Any news from anyone else would be very welcome.
Have a great Summer and enjoy this wonderful weather.
JJ.