The Barber, The Astronaut, and The Golf Ball
by Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis
Biography / Golf / Space Travel
Publisher: Stoney Creek Publishing
Pages: 202
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
SYNOPSIS
In 1971, famed astronaut Alan Shepard returned from the moon and went to get a haircut. Before settling into the barber’s chair in Webster, Texas, near NASA’s Mission Control, Shepard gave his longtime barber and friend, Carlos Villagomez, an autographed golf ball.
During his Apollo 14 moonwalk, Shepard had conducted a world-famous demonstration of gravity by hitting a golf ball in an out-of-this-world sand trap. It took him two tries.
Carlos, a Navy combat veteran and barber for numerous astronauts, says Shepard gave him the ball immediately after he returned to earth and was released from quarantine.
Had Shepard taken a third ball to the moon? And did he give it to his barber as a token of their long friendship?
The debate provides a backdrop for The Barber, The Astronaut, and the Golf Ball, a story of two extraordinary men and their lasting friendship. The book offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of America’s space program at its pinnacle and shows the ordinary people who supported one of the nation’s most monumental scientific endeavors.
Praise for The Barber, The Astronaut, and The Golf Ball:
It’s perfect!! Barbara and Ed capture Daddy and his long friendship with Carlos. —Laura Shepard, Daughter of Alan Shepard
Brings back the glory days of the U.S. Space Program and the importance of the “little people” who made it happen. We see stern Shepard in a new and admirable light – in Shepard’s high regard for the vast team of dedicated supporters who enabled astronauts to succeed. —Charlie Duke, Apollo Astronaut
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BOOK TRAILER
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis grew up in the 1960s in the shadow of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center and married in 1982. They have three children and five grandchildren. The couple —with many other community members — are co-owners of Brazos Bookstore, an independent bookseller. As children of NASA scientists, Barbara and Ed had front-row seats to the development of the space program and the community built around it on rural cow pastures near Webster, Texas.
Barbara Radnofsky is a writer, mediator, teacher, and lawyer. She’s the author of A Citizen’s Guide to Impeachment, a nonpartisan explanation of U.S. constitutional impeachment history and practice.
Ed Supkis MD is a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in cardiac anesthesia. He served as Director of Quality Assurance for the Division of Anesthesiology and as Medical Director of Respiratory Care for the Division of Surgery and Anesthesiology.
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Jennie Reads REVIEW
The authors skillfully blend memoirs, historical anecdotes, and a deep immersion into the culture surrounding the NASA space program. The narrative dives beyond the surface of space exploration, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the astronauts’ personal lives and the tightly-knit community that supported them. By weaving together the stories of objects gifted by astronauts over the years—particularly focusing on one small yet symbolically significant golf ball—the author illustrates how seemingly minor details can spark meaningful connections and lead to extraordinary discoveries. How a friendship between two men developed over many years and haircuts, to become the core for this tale.
The level of detail and depth of research throughout the book is impressive. You can tell that these authors went beyond the expected to uncover lesser-known historical trivia, making this history buff a contented reader. This exploration of the personal memorabilia and items connected to NASA’s storied past provides readers with a rich, behind-the-scenes perspective that is both informative and emotionally attached. I personally loved the inside look at how an invitation to the White House was executed.
A highlight of the book is its final section, which details the assistance the authors received while compiling this labor of love. This reflective conclusion adds a personal touch, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project and leaving readers with a sense of satisfaction. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in the human side of space exploration and the hidden stories behind the artifacts of NASA’s legacy.
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