The first man to walk on the moon and immortalized the words “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” has passed away at the age of 82. The civilian test pilot was selected to command the mission and be the first to step off the ladder to show that it was a civilian exploration and not a military conquest of the moon.

On July 16th the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, now Kennedy Space Center, and landed on the moon on July 21st of 1969. There was even a speech prepared for Nixon if the landing did not go as planned.

According to CBS News, the family is asking for a tribute called “Wink at the Moon.” The statement Armstrong’s family released upon his death requested that the public honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, adding “and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”