The James A. Lovell Legacy Fund
Join Captain Lovell & family, their friends, and supporters to raise critical funds so the Adler can continue to inspire future generations of explorers the same way it did for Captain Lovell more than 80 years ago.
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share that Captain James A. Lovell Jr. passed away on August 7, 2025. NASA astronaut and lifelong friend of the Adler, Captain Lovell was one of our heroes. His work on the Apollo missions, his extraordinary leadership, and his grace under pressure inspired the whole world. His passion for space exploration—and the work he did to share it with generations of kids and adults—continues to inspire us every day. The Adler has had the great privilege of working closely with Capt. Lovell for more than a decade, caring for many of his personal artifacts, and sharing his story with all of you. Today, our thoughts are with the Lovell family. Tomorrow, and every day after, we shoot for the Moon.
Statement from Interim President and CEO Audris Wong:
“On behalf of the Adler Planetarium, I express our heartfelt condolences to the entire Lovell family. A true American hero, James A. Lovell Jr.’s life story demonstrates perseverance, commitment, and hard work. For more than a decade, the Adler has been honored to work closely with Jim. In addition to being a Trustee, he generously contributed his space artifacts and passionately advocated for improving science literacy. Jim’s personal stories of space exploration have engaged and inspired millions of visitors. Captain Lovell was a naval hero, space pioneer, and successful business leader, but it is his role as a champion for science education and his commitment to motivating the next generation of explorers that will be his enduring legacy at the Adler Planetarium.”
Give to the James A. Lovell Legacy Fund
A Legacy of Perseverance
In the early 1940s, when Jim was a young boy, he found himself wandering the halls of the Adler Planetarium looking for parts for his new hobby of rocketry. Instead, what he found was a deep inspiration for the concepts of astronomy and space exploration. This passion led him to an extraordinary career with NASA as one of the first astronauts and a crew member of the early manned-space flights of Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and the fateful Apollo 13.
In his own words, Jim was “attached” to the Adler Planetarium from the beginning and over the last several decades he has donated his most important space artifacts and served as a key member of The Adler’s board of trustees and an advocate for its growth and sustainability efforts.
A Resilient Future
The Adler is committed to bringing that same experience that young Captain Lovell had to people of all ages for generations to come. We want each person who walks through the doors of our iconic art-deco building to find what he found here: a universe, a community, and an irresistible call to explore whatever captures their imagination. Everyone should see the Adler as a safe place to try and fail and try again, an approach he’s successfully demonstrated throughout his life.
We all will face unexpected challenges and even failures. It’s what we make of these moments—how we readjust, learn, and grow, that matters. The Lovell Legacy Fund will help the Adler encounter these unexpected moments. As our home here on Chicago’s lakefront ages, as the needs of our guests evolve and change, this fund will allow us to respond nimbly and creatively. Funds will be used to support the care and evolution of our home to ensure we can welcome the next explorers and leaders to excel in today’s industries and in those not yet imagined.
