re: Gordo's gone...
Like 'im or believe that he was the reckless/immature pilot that some say, he was one of The Original 7. That says a lot.
They said the same about Alan Shepard.
["He never said 'you can't do it.' He was gung-ho on everything." -- Norris Gray, former NASA Fire Chief and Emergency Preparedness Officer.]
NASA's tribute page to Mr. Cooper.
That's probably what is meant by, "The Right Stuff".