I recall that Richard spoke of riding in an open-top Cadillac with Walter and a lady who, I assume, was one of Walter's aids, or his makeup artist, or something like that. I guess they were heading to wherever it was that Richard's expertise in science would be needed. Was it off camera advising, I wonder? Otherwise there would be a film clip or an audio clip that should have surfaced by now. Shay used the best word here...sketchy. The proof is sketchy at best. Likewise, Richard's relationship with his dear friend Arthur C. Clarke. Where is the proof that Richard ever corresponded, or talked with, Mr. Clarke?
But in Richard's defense, I do have proof that he knew the great science writer Isaac Asimov. I read an Asimov article once, where he described being on a cruise ship to witness the taking off of Apollo 17, the last manned mission to the moon. Asimov wrote that as the time for the launch approached, he discovered that he had been given a substandard spot from which to view the rocket shoot from. Richard Hoagland happened by and hearing of the author's plight, was able to find a much improved vantage point for Asimov to see the launch from.
There were lots of top notch sci-fi writers and scientists on the cruise, which lasted for a number of days. Seminars were held, and even Richard himself presented one on the space shuttle.
http://file770.com/the-1972-sf-author-cruise-to-the-final-apollo-launch/
