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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Alan Fritsche

Allen and Lila Fritsche supported STS Mission Profiles from 1991-1998. STS Mission Profiles was a 40-page preflight guide to each shuttle mission that was self-published by the Fritsche family. The magazine enjoyed world-wide readership and was sold at various pace centers including the Kennedy Space Center and the Johnson Space Center. A special edition was produced in 1994, "The Flight of Apollo 11" for the 25th anniversary of the first moon landing.

They both were involved with many activities in producing the magazine over the years including printing, proof reading and photo selection for each issue and without their help the magazine could not have been accomplished.

Allen and Lila encouraged their son Alan in his aviation and space interests from a young age. Lila told the story of how 3-year old Alan jumped up and down in front of the B&W TV as Alan Shepard blasted off aboard Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961. She would allow her son to view Gemini launches on TV and then go off to school a little late, and tape the Apollo mission coverage when her son was at school. Father and son viewed the launch of Apollo 15 from Titusville, FL in July, 1971 and Allen sent his son and daughter to view the launch of Apollo 16 in April, 1972.

As part of the STS Mission Profiles team they also viewed the launch of STS-50 on June 25, 1992 and an Atlas launch a few days later from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station press site in front of the old Mercury Mission Control Center.

They also encouraged their son to become an airline pilot. Allen was the very first passenger the day after his son acquired his private pilot's license and Lila rode along with her son as he built flight time towards his commercial pilot's certificate. Their son is now a Captain flying both the 757 and 767 aircraft world-wide.

Allen and Lila Fritsche are honored on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor by their son who offers the following observation of his loving parents, "I dreamed the dreams and they made them happen."