Former astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, dead at 82

Gene Cernan at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. (Mark Craig) Gene Cernan at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. (Mark Craig) Photo: Mark Craig, HO Photo: Mark Craig, HO Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Former astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, dead at 82 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Former astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, died today after ongoing health issues, his family said in a statement.

NASA first announced his death this afternoon in a Tweet.

Cernan, 82, was a member of the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, the last manned space flight to the moon. Cernan and fellow astronaut Harrison Schmitt spent three days on the moon before returning to the command module.

Cernan, the last to leave the moon's surface, told his story in a recent book and documentary.

His family released the following statement:

"It is with very deep sadness that we share the loss of our beloved husband and father. Our family is heartbroken, of course, and we truly appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. Gene, as he was known by so many, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Even at the age of 82, Gene was passionate about sharing his desire to see the continued human exploration of space and encouraged our nation's leaders and young people to not let him remain the last man to walk on the Moon."

Cernan is survived by his wife, Jan Nanna Cernan, his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy Cernan Woolie and Marion Woolie, step-daughters Kelly Nanna Taff and husband, Michael, and Danielle Nanna Ellis and nine grandchildren.