Former U. S. astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has died in his home state of Ohio.

A family statement said the 82-year-old icon died Saturday outside Cincinnati, following a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month.

Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. He then sent the historic radio message: “that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” As the world watched on television, Armstrong spent several hours walking on the moon with fellow astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

Armstrong had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years. But he spoke earlier this year at Ohio State University at an event honoring fellow space pioneer John Glenn former senator from Ohio.