Lousma JackRobert

American astronaut who spent 59 days in orbit between 7/28/1973 to 9/25/1973 as a member of the second Skylab space station crew. On 3/22/1982, he returned to space as the commander of the third test flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Lousma graduated from Ann Arbor High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan and continued his studies at the University of Michigan where, in 1959, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1959, and after receiving his wings one year later, he served as an attack and reconnaissance pilot with the 2nd Marine Air Wing. He earned his Master of Science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1965. In April 1966, NASA selected him for astronaut training. Lousma received many honors and awards for his military and astronaut service including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal in 1982. He retired from the Marines with the rank of colonel and in 1983, he resigned from NASA. On 10/04/1997, he was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Lousma married Gratia Kay in 1956, and they have four children and six grandchildren. He is an avid golfer and enjoys hunting and fishing. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less