The guy who designed the Constitution class (Kirk's enterprise) and the majority of original trek ships died.
From Star Trek.com
07.21.03 Matt Jefferies, Enterprise Designer, Dies at 82
"Matt was a gentle soul. He has put his stamp on everything we have done since his brilliant, classic Enterprise."
–Herman Zimmerman
Production Designer, Enterprise
"Matt Jefferies' quiet modesty belied the genius of his work, which set the path for all of us who are lucky enough to follow in his very large footsteps. Today, nearly four decades later, Matt's original Enterprise still stands as a design classic. We will miss him greatly."
–Michael Okuda
Scenic Art Supervisor/Technical Consultant, Enterprise
Walter "Matt" Jefferies, the art director who designed the original U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 for Gene Roddenberry in the 1960's, passed away early this morning. He was 82. Exact cause of death is not known at this time, but Jefferies had been battling cancer, and had recently been given the all-clear by doctors.
His mark on the world is indelible; if ever a single image of a vessel can claim instant recognition throughout the world, it is the Starship Enterprise.
Obsessed with flight, Matt was a pilot who loved nothing more than the freedom that flight afforded oneself. To be in the air was his raison d'ętre and it fed his imagination which informed his later design work. In recent years, ill health and poor vision meant he was no longer able to partake in his favorite activity.
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It was just a month ago that Jefferies' friends and family held a special surprise tribute for Jefferies on the Paramount lot (related story).
Three years ago almost to the day, Jefferies received special recognition at the FantastiCon science fiction awards dinner (related story). Good friend Penny Juday, art department coordinator for several Star Trek movies, presented his award by saying, "Perhaps not since the Wright Brothers has a flight so captured the imagination of the people." Jefferies, always humbled and rather embarrassed by any attention he gets, accepted by saying, "I find it very difficult to comprehend, honestly, how design work that I did oh-so-many years ago has been accepted and continues to be accepted ... and I'm kinda choked up."
Senior Illustrator Doug Drexler was another staff member hugely influenced by Matt's work:
"Matt was my initial inspiration to become be an artist in Hollywood.
"He inspired me to work hard and not be afraid to dream the big dream. Could I ever have imagined that I would know Matt? Certainly. That part is not so amazing. What is truly amazing is to find that your hero is so much more than you ever expected. It's one of those delightful rarities of life cynics would have you believe never happens, but guess what? It does happen and it happened in the form of this wonderful, warm and generous human being.
"We miss you, Matt ... it hurts ... big time. But you know something? In reality you're right here ... in the art department ... every day ... in every pen, pencil, pixel and heartbeat. So from here on we live a little more ambitiously, a little more passionately and a little more lovingly in your name. Chocks away, flyboy!"
Jefferies is survived by his wife Mary Ann. We will continue to update this story with more information as it becomes available.
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What I found funny was that a month ago Star Trek.com had an article about Jefferies saying "...announced that Jefferies has recovered from recent health problems. That was evident today, as he was quite energetic, albeit slightly embarrassed by the attention. "
link for that article
Thoughts?