He's dead Jim.

Somehow fitting that on the anniversary of the first landing on the moon that we reflect on the passing of a man who made space, technology and science cool. James Doohan known even to non-trekkies as Scotty. We all know the lines "The engines can't take anymore" and "I'm givin' you all shes got, Capt'n" with that over the top Scottish accent that Doohan brought to life. As is too often the case it's only after they pass that you learn how intriguing some folks are.

As part of the D-day invasion of Normandy with the Canadian army Doohand took six hits from German machine guns, include the shot that took his middle finger. He devised the Vulcan and Klingon language used in the first Star Trek movie and incredibly fathered his ninth child when he was 80 years old.

Unlike some other actors who get type cast after playing a successful character Doohan wasn't apparently bitter about being known as Scotty. He continued speaking at colleges and SF conventions until last year after he announced he'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.