Murrysville space enthusiast talks moon landing at Monroeville library

A self-described space enthusiast from Murrysville will commemorate the 50 years since a man landed on the moon by talking about his lunar-inspired art and sharing his experience seeing it live on television in 1969.

The Monroeville Public Library is displaying Bob Bickers’ artwork through July. He will give a talk on his paintings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 11 and attend an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20.

Also on exhibit are his collected memorabilia from the era, including newspaper clippings, magazines, posters, figurines and patches.

The events are free and open to the public. Artwork will be available for sale.

Bickers, 63, was 13-years-old when he watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step onto Earth’s moon.

“When I was watching it, my hands were just completely sweaty,” Bickers said. “It was just a bare-knuckle kind of experience. I mean it was almost like a dream later that evening – there were people actually on the moon.”

He said his father snapped photos of the historical event that was broadcast on television. The most prominent photograph features himself, his brother, sister and mother sitting around the television — which is showing live footage of the moon landing.

Bickers said he grew up enthralled by space exploration, reading books on the Apollo missions and keeping up with news about them. He bought newspapers the week before and after the Apollo 11 mission and collected other memorabilia throughout the years.

His interest in space correlated with a love for art, and throughout the years, he developed the craft of painting while also working as a full-time attorney with a practice in Murrysville.