Alan Bean

Alan LaVern Bean (March 15, 1932 – May 26, 2018) was an American naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, NASA astronaut and painter. He was selected to become an astronaut by NASA in 1963 as part of Astronaut Group 3, and was the fourth person to walk on the Moon. Before becoming an astronaut, Bean graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from University of Texas at Austin in 1955 and re-joined the U.S. Navy—he served as an enlisted member for a year after his high school graduation. He received his naval aviator wings in 1956 and served as a fighter pilot. In 1960, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, flew as a test pilot and was The New Nine selection finalist in 1962. Bean made his first flight into space aboard Apollo 12 in November 1969, the second crewed mission to land on the Moon. He spent over seven hours walking on the Moon during two lunar excursions. He made his second and final flight into space on the Skylab 3 mission in 1973, the second crewed mission to the Skylab space station. After retiring from the United States Navy in 1975 and NASA in 1981, Bean pursued his interest in painting, depicting various space-related scenes and documenting his own experiences in space as well as those of his fellow Apollo program astronauts. He was the last living crew member of Apollo 12.[edit]

Alan Bean spent his final years in Houston, Texas, painting scenes from his time on the Moon and selling artwork that blended space exploration with human emotion. On May 26, 2018, the former astronaut passed away at the age of 86 following a short illness while in his home city. Family statements described the event as a quiet end after a brief period of sickness rather than a sudden or traumatic event. Tributes poured in immediately from high-profile institutions and peers who honored Bean not only for commanding the second Skylab crew but also for his unique transition into art. Fellow astronauts remembered him as one of the twelve men to walk on the Moon, noting that he was survived by just four other moonwalkers at the time of his passing.

While no specific details regarding funeral arrangements or burial locations were publicly reported, the broader space community celebrated his legacy through continued interest in his work. His dual identity as an explorer and artist ensured his story remained vibrant long after his final breath. Posthumous recognition continued to grow through the sale of his artifacts and paintings. In July 2026, a hammer used by Bean during the Apollo 12 mission and subsequently as a tool for his paintings sold at auction for $812,500. A significant legal matter involving his estate occurred five years later when a Harris County probate court jury ruled in favor of his widow, Leslie Bean, awarding them $1.66 million in damages related to disputes over the management of his affairs.[edit]