Scotty Gets Beamed Up

James Doohan dies at 85.AbE: I used to love the original Star Trek, and this is sad news to me. The title may sound flippant, but I couldn't resist.This message has been edited by berberry, 07-20-2005 11:30 AM

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"I think younger workers first of all, younger workers have been promised benefits the government promises that have been promised, benefits that we can't keep. That's just the way it is." George W. Bush, May 4, 2005

(1920 - 2005)James Doohan, the burly chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise in the original "Star Trek" TV series and movies who responded to the command "Beam me up, Scotty," died Wednesday. He was 85.Doohan was born on March 3, 1920, in Vancouver, British Columbia, and spent his early years in there and in Sarnia, Ontario. Surviving the anguish of living with an alcoholic father, he left home at age 19 to join the Canadian Forces, fighting with the Allies in World War II. After outscoring his fellow soldiers on an officer's exam, he became Captain in the Royal Canadian Artillery. While leading his men into battle on D-Day, Doohan was wounded in the leg and hand, and eventually lost a finger. For the remainder of the war, he became a pilot observer, and received the dubious distinction of being called the "craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Forces."Another member of the "Greatest Generation" is gone.
But He will not be forgotten.

Oh no! First DeForest Kelley, now James Doohan. What a shame.Well, I suppose they are all getting on now. You kind of forget that when you really only know them as timeless characters.Farewell, "Scotty." You will be remembered.P.S. I actually think the title is quite fitting, berberry. Ironically, as soon as I saw it I knew what the post was going to say. So, no, I don't think it's flippant. I found it quite appropriate, in fact.

I don't think your title was at all flippant. I heard that he was a very good natured individual and imagine he would appreciate the sentiment. I am a fan from way back and am sorry to see him depart.

I remember back in the 70s, when our local TV station finally began playing the old Star Trek reruns. It was so cool!Then I remember when Star Trek: The New Generation came out. We all got into watching that, of course. Then the same station that was playing STNG began playing classic Star Trek episodes right after. Watching William Shatner over-act, people get bonked by styrofoam rocks, and the 60s vision of future technology, it brought back fond memories and, regardless of what other people may think, I could see what Star Trek became important enough to make STNG possible to begin with. The old show remains a classic.