FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2003
For More Information:
Brian Chase
(202) 543-1900
brian@nss.org

National Space Society Mourns Loss of Executive Committee Chairman

WASHINGTON, DC – Chris Pancratz, 52, Chairman of the National Space Society (NSS) Executive Committee, died August 2, 2003, at his home in Virginia after a battle with cancer. During his six years on the Board of Directors of the Society, he worked tirelessly in many capacities.

“ His dedication to the exploration and development of space never wavered,” said NSS Executive Director Brian Chase. “Chris saw the organization through several challenges, and his leadership will be missed.”

Chris engendered support from the entire NSS family, including its international affiliates. “Chris was a true leader. He is to be admired for his never-failing energy and enthusiasm for the NSS mission,” said Tim McEgan, President of the National Space Society of Australia.

" The loss of Chris Pancratz robs the NSS of a valuable resource – an individual who combined the qualities of understanding and enthusiastically supporting the exploration of space, plus personal energy and organizational drive," said Hugh Downs, Chairman of the NSS Board of Governors.

In addition to being named the National Space Society Activist of the Year in 2000, he also served as Acting Executive Director, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Director of Strategic Planning. He was a major financial supporter of the Society and a frequent contributor to the organization’s award-winning magazine, Ad Astra.

Pancratz had a long history of community service with the United States Jaycees Foundation, where he served on the Board of Trustees, and the United Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Mr. Greg Allison was appointed Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The National Space Society is an independent, international, educational, grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. The NSS has more than 22,000 members and 50 chapters around the world. Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space.