Poetic Obituaries: In 1969, [Charles] Sonett received NASA's

Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for unusually significant scientific contribution toward achievement of aeronautical or space exploration goals.

"He always went forward, never complaining," said his wife of 63 years, Virginia Sonett. "He always had an artist's sense of his science. In his studies he was always aware of the poetry inherent in our universe."

Sonett's interests outside of work extended to art, music, sailing, photography and writing poetry.

"Chuck was quite a Renaissance man," his wife said. "Besides science he could speak on just about any subject, including art and music. He could talk to anyone on their interest level."

from Arizona Daily Star: Charles Sonett, pioneer space scientist, dies at 87

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