Skip to content Less than two weeks ago I posted on Facebook the sad news that actor Michael Forrest had passed away at the age of 97. He played the Greek god Apollo in the classic. Star Trek Episode, “Who Mourns Adonais?”. This was my first trekking episode at the age of 3 and it played a huge role in my life in Trekking. Now, a week later, we’ve lost another piece of Star Trek history. Walter Koenig, who played the role of Pavel Chekov, died at the age of 90.
Walter Koenig was the first Trek star I saw in the real world. I saw “saw” because I didn’t meet him properly at the time. It was 1992 and he had arrived in Wichita, Kansas for the local Star Trek convention. It was my first trek to a convention and I got a photo of the Star Trek VI cast to sign it. Unfortunately, as soon as he got on stage… my little daughter Kayla started crying. My late wife and I took Gerry with us and she was an angel all day… until that moment. After multiple attempts to calm him down failed (and several people started watching us, including Walter Koenig), we politely got up and left. Just like that, the moment was over.
As the years progressed, I met many other stars of various series. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to finally meet him at the Trek Expo in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2003. It was short-lived and, unfortunately, unexpected. I never took it personally because I knew it was an off morning because he clearly wasn’t feeling well. What helped was hearing how others had met it over the years and had great experiences. I also knew that my daughter-in-law’s son lived in the same apartment complex as Walter Koenig and talked about how nice and kind he was when they passed each other in the hall or yard. I always hoped that I would meet him again, but it was not to be.
I have seen and loved his work in all his appearances as Bester Babylon 5, Indivisible (2007), Moon Trap (1988), The Questor Tapes (1974) and The Alfred Hitchcock Houralong with other roles. Let’s not forget his contribution as a writer Star Trek: The Animated Series (“Infinite Volcano”) and land of the lost (“alien”).
A big part of my childhood is gone and it makes me sad. He spent countless hours watching Star Trek With my father, who has been gone for more than ten years. There is a connection there that always reminds me of him. Fortunately, Walter Koenig leaves behind an admirable legacy that will live on for future generations to enjoy for many years to come.
Rest in peace, Walter Koenig! Live long and prosper!
