Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Ashes on the Moon
Gene Shoemaker (1928-1997)
| — | Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes | — |
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
1. Ashes on the Moon Marker
Born in 1928, Unsung Hero Gene Shoemaker was a pioneer in space science and remains the only person whose ashes have been buried on the moon. As the founder of the field of astrogeology, Gene helped to create the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Center in Arizona, serving as its first director. Shoemaker also studied terrestrial craters such as Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona, and along with Edward Chao, provided the first conclusive evidence of its origin as an impact crater.
A role model and leader in space exploration, Shoemaker was heavily involved in the Lunar Ranger missions to the moon. He mapped the moon's surface in preparation for landings and was even designated to be the first geologist on the moon. Unfortunately, his Addison's disease diagnosis disqualified him. Consequently, he helped to train Neil Armstrong and other U.S. astronauts during the early Apollo missions and served as a commentator with Walter Cronkite during live coverage of the flights.
Despite his work on the cutting edge of space science, it was an evening in 1993 that brought about the most important scientific impact of Shoemaker's
this page online
The comet hit Jupiter, the only such event (a comet striking a planet in our solar system) witnessed by humans.
While on a research expedition in 1997 to search for impact craters in Australia, Gene Shoemaker died in a car accident, leaving his story historically unsung. However, in honor of his tremendous and impactful contributions as a role model in the field of planetary science, Gene's ashes were carried to the moon in 1999 by the Lunar Prospector space probe and buried there.
Photo captions:
·In 1963, NASA astronauts received geologic training from Gene in Flagstaff, Arizona, in preparation for the Apollo missions.
·2020 ArtEffect Award, Senior Division, "The Shooting Star" by Jenny Zhu, 10th grade student from California
·To develop the field of astrogeology, Gene studied the impact dynamics of Barringer
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
2. Ashes on the Moon Marker
·Heather Smith, formerly of Fort Scott, is the niece of Gene Shoemaker. She brought his compelling story to the attention of the LMC.
Erected by Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 37° 50.494′ N, 94° 42.362′ W. Marker is in Fort Scott, Kansas, in Bourbon County. It can be reached from South Main Street south of East Wall Street. Marker is located in the courtyard behind the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 S Main St, Fort Scott KS 66701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
3. Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: True Renaissance Man (here, next to this marker); Measuring the Sky (here, next to this marker); The Father of Modern Education (a few steps from this marker); Jurassic Mary (a few steps from this marker); The Stout Building (a few steps from this marker); The Man Who Saved a Billion Lives (a few steps from this marker); WWII Navajo Code Talker (a few steps from this marker); The Unbreakable Code (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Scott.
Also see . . .
1. Gene Shoemaker on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (official website). (Submitted on October 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
