Walter "Matt" Jefferies, the art director who designed the original U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 for Gene Roddenberry in the 1960's, passed away early this morning. He was 82. Exact cause of death is not known at this time, but Jefferies had been battling cancer, and had recently been given the all-clear by doctors. His mark on the world is indelible; if ever a single image of a vessel can claim instant recognition throughout the world, it is the Starship Enterprise.
Obsessed with flight, Matt was a pilot who loved nothing more than the freedom that flight afforded oneself. To be in the air was his raison d'être and it fed his imagination which informed his later design work. In recent years, ill health and poor vision meant he was no longer able to partake in his favorite activity.
Quelle: startrek.com