Scott Wiltbank Retires From The Space Center - His Long Reign As the Dominator of Camp Surveys is Over! The Imaginarium Theater

 

Scott was one of those "special" young volunteers when he started with us in 2013. His enthuasium for the Space Center knew no bounds. I say special because volunteers like this are sooo eager to get involved and make a contribution that they can, at times, become ever so -  and slightly - annoying :) But over time, Scott weathered nicely in the ships, and under the loving care of great supervisor and flight directors blossomed into one of the Space Center's greatest!  

I had the unfortunate experience of going against Scott head to head for top flight director during a summer camp season a few years ago when I flew the Cassini.  I remember Scott coming into the Cassini Control Room and kindly offering me the opportunity to admit he was the best and bow to his Flight Director superiority PUBLICLY to avoid the sure to come embarrassment of seeing him sweep the award at the August Honor's Night.  I refused, and suffered the embarrassment PUBLICLY.  

There was a very evident way Scott achieved so much, so quickly in his rise to greatness as a teen. It was a quality that helped him over the finish line in the two simulators he excelled in. Scott was an excellent kisser upper to the Set Directors. (OK, I will admit there was some talent in the offering as well...)

A couple years ago I wrote the following as an open message to members of the Voyager Club's volunteering group regarding Scott's example.  "The current Voyager Club members should take note and follow Scott's example when looking for a Phoenix Pass.  Pay homage, laught at all his jokes, (stupid or not), hold the door for him, warm his flight director's chair, and repeatedly tell him that he is the best flight director ever.  If you're readlly brace and willing to risk the wrath of Jon Parker, tell Scott he is a better flight director than the Almight Jon. It will earn you a Phoenix pass, but if word gets back to Jon, that phoenix pass will be your last...."  

The Space Center community said Goodbye to Scott last Friday. He did one final Day Camp and the private mission afterwards, said his final "goodbyes" to his long time friends and associates, left his badge on Mr. Porter's desk and walk off into the parking lot one last time as an employee.  

Scott has pre-warned us that the Space Center hasn't seen the last of him. He will return when he hears the Siren's Call beckoning to return to the source of his inspiration to help staff, when needed, with his special skills and experience.  We will look forward to those visits. Until then, on you go Scott. The world is waiting for you and there is much you have to do to make it a better place.

A Video Tribute to Scott: His Last Mission and Scott Thought the Years From Humble Black Shirt to Set Director and "God of Flight Directing" (self proclaimed)

   

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