But if what he wrote influenced you, in a real sense you DID meet him.
Chris Kraft told me to "watch for small computers". I did. And, well, things worked out pretty good. In the early 90's I met another guy, online, who had an impact on me. He was working on something interesting. He called it "Leeenocks":)
What a fantastic country we live in. Unfortunately, it seems that younger people don't get the work ethic thing. I was at a wine bar recently and found myself surrounded by 20 somethings. Several worked for Starbucks and outfits like that. They were bitching and complaining about all sorts of things. A couple of them kind of had an attitude like they deserved to be handed whatever they wanted. This place was on the water and I was in one of my boats. I took several of them out on it. Oddly enough the females were more manly than the guys. I'd have expected that the guys would have asked about engines on the boat, etc. But they did not. And one was kind of freaked out when we were moving along at 60 mph+. It was after 11 PM but that is safe with some moonlight and I know the waters like the back of my hand. It was fun but I went away feeling sorry for most of them because they seemed so stuck in place. I don't think a one of them could have started any kind of business or even had the want to. They seemed like a kind of a waste and when one noticed the watch I had on I thought he was going to barf when he figured out it cost more than he makes in a year. I tried to explain that nobody ever gave me a thing and that anyone can make it in America. Just find something people need, provide it to them and charge money. He looked at me like I was insane. Or a bug:)
I'm not saying all people in this age group are like this. Certainly not the young ones like those that Heinlien was speaking to. The kids in the military I have met are aces.
Sorry for the rant.... Back to Heinlien. I wish I could have not only met him in person but fenced with him. In my dreams I guess....