Astronaut, Tom Akers, lifted off on the first of his four space shuttle flights. Akers was born in St. Louis and grew up in Eminence, MO. He graduated from high school in Eminence and from the Missouri Science & Technology University in Rolla. (Bachelors & Masters Degrees)

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.