Maxie Anderson

Maxie Anderson
Anderson (1981)
Born	Max Leroy Anderson (1934-09-10)September 10, 1934 Sayre,Oklahoma
Died	June 27, 1983(1983-06-27)(aged 48) Bad Kissingen,West Germany
Cause of death	Balloon crash
Resting place	Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque,New Mexico 35°06′29.2″N106°37′59.9″W
Nationality	United States of America
Education	Missouri Military Academy
Alma mater	University of North Dakota
Occupation(s)	Balloonist,businessman
Awards	Congressional Gold Medal(1979)

Maxie Anderson(September 10, 1934 – June 27, 1983) was an American hot airballoonistandCongressional Gold Medal recipientHe was part of the balloon crews that made the first Atlantic ocean crossing by balloon in theDouble Eagle IIand the first Pacific ocean crossing by balloon in theDouble Eagle V.

The gas balloon Double Eagle II over Presque Isle, Maine attempting to cross the Atlantic

Double Eagle Gondola

Early life and education

BornMax Leroy AndersoninSayre,Oklahoma, to rancher and mining industry executive Carl Anderson. He entered theMissouri Military AcademyatMexico,Missouri, at the age of eight, and throughout his high school years assisted his father in building pipelines. He engaged in prospecting in theArctic Circlebefore completing his degree inindustrial engineeringat theUniversity of North Dakotain 1956. He developed an early interest in flight, obtaining a license at the age of fifteen (having misrepresented his age). This allowed him to fly a plane to the academy at age 15, while cars were banned except for those aged 18. InAlbuquerque,New Mexico, he entered the mining industry, acquiring his own company, Ranchers Exploration and Development Corporation, before he was thirty. His career was marked by innovations in extraction technologies, delivery systems, and administrative practices. For his work, Anderson was inducted into theNational Mining Hall of Fame.

Ballooning

Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman of the Double Eagle II

Along with his friendBen Abruzzo,he became interested in hot air ballooning. The two decided to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary ofCharles Lindbergh's flight, and engaged balloonistEd Yost(whose transatlantic bid had failed in 1976) to build theDouble Eagle.The balloon was launched nearMarshfield, Massachusettson September 9, 1977, but the flight was aborted off the coast ofIcelandon September 13. In 1978Larry Newman,a manufacturer of hang gliders, was added to the crew for the next attempt in theDouble Eagle II.This venture was launched August 11 atPresque Isle,Maine, and arrived atMiserey,France, on August 17.For their efforts, the team was awarded theCongressional Gold Medalin 1979. It was both a distance record (3108 miles) and a duration record (137 hours) for the sport.

With his son Kristian, he made the first non-stop trans-North American balloon flight. TheKitty HawkdepartedFort Baker,California, on May 8, 1980, and landed on May 12 atSainte-Félicité,Quebec.

Anderson attempted to complete a circumnavigation of the globe by balloon. With Don Ida he launched the balloonJules VernefromLuxor,Egypton January 11, 1981, travelling 4,316 kilometres (2,682 mi), and landing in Hansa, India 48 hours later.

Death

Anderson was killed on June 27, 1983, nearBad Kissingen,West Germany.He was in the air with co-pilot Don Ida. Having no wish to stray across the border intoEast GermanyorCzechoslovakia,he attempted to release the gondola from the envelope at touchdown. The bolts failed to fire, and a gust re-lofted the vehicle, whereupon the explosive bolts deployed, and both Anderson and Ida were killed in the fall.The locale of the accident is also given as "near the village of Schönderling in the county ofBad Kissingen"in a history of theGordon Bennett Cupballoon race, in which they were participating as non-competitors at the time.

Legacy

In 1973, Anderson founded the Anderson Valley Vineyards with his wife Patty. "We have a lot of balloon-themed wines and items," wine expert Angela Le Quieu says. She adds that the label for the winery's Balloon Blush wine always uses a picture from the previous year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Creating a foundation, the Abruzzo and Anderson families partnered with the City of Albuquerque and constructed theAnderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museumnext to the launch field of theAlbuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.The World's most photographed event, Fiesta is held the second week of every October.In addition to theAnderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum,Anderson's name lives on with the Maxie Anderson Award, for Albuquerque's "business owner who has demonstrated excellence in business success; reputation; community involvement; leadership; humanity; and humor."

See also

• List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients

External links

• Maxie AndersonatFind a Grave