SOLVED. Sci Fi Short Story about a dying old man wanting to hear the neighborhood rocket launch one last time. [s]

[Art]

I'm searching for a short story (from perhaps thirty or so years ago) that occurs in the room of a dying old man. The man has worked in a (lowly?) job but associated with the development (?) and launch of large rockets (to the moon perhaps). He has remained in the neighborhood where they are launched regularly. The wealthy family that built the business of launching these rockets also lives in the neighborhood near by and is having a loud party. The old man sends a message asking for quiet at launch time so he can enjoy the thunder of the launch one last time. The time arrives and the music dies down. Then a lone note introduces the sound of the launch - it was the family paying tribute to the old man. Other details, the man wanted to be wearing his boots when he died - his wife disapproved. He was also visited by a priest and reluctantly accepted last rites.

Yesterday I toured the Spacex facility at Boca Chica Texas. Seeing the large, half built Starship under construction, the water tower like Starhopper and talking to the people who live in the village there made me think of this story. My son (who was equally in awe of the sights) and I spoke about the future of the neighborhood there and I really want to share this story with him.

[Kate]

Art ~~
You can "bump" your thread every month or so. This pushes your thread back to the top of the folder instead of languishing here on page 88 from two months ago where fewer eyes will see it. Get back in the game! Bump!
You can do this by typing a new comment at the end of the thread, or even by typing the word "bump."
Good luck!

[Art]

Ah, I'm new to this. Thanks!

[Ayshe]

Death of a Spaceman maybe?

[Art]

THAT'S IT!!! THANK YOU AYSHE!! Been looking for it for what seems like an eternity! And thank you Kate for "bumping" it!