Who has passed away in the last 7y from the Amateur Astro Community in Aust and NZ

[h0ughy]

Who has passed away in the last 7 years from the Amateur Astro Community in Aust and NZ?

First of all I am after the names of those that have passed away from the Australian and New Zealand Amateur Astro Community in the last 7 years. I am looking to starting up an “In Memoriam” area for those that have passed away that have contributed to the Amateur Astro community.

This post has a caveat - no spamming in this thread - anything deemed to be off topic will be deleted

[PeterM]

How fitting indeed. That's the one thing I hate about ageing.. losing friends along the way. I know this thread comes at a sensitive time for many, but I'm sure Davids' idea will be taken with the very good intention that he has. Let's remember these wonderful astro friends with a memory, a smile and (in my case) a raised glass of fine port towards a clear dark sky.

2005 Erwin VanderVelden - A member of The Southern Astronomical Society and Brisbane Astronomical Society. Regarded by many as pioneer in astro digital SLR. A valuable contributor to NASA's Messenger probe to Venus he has Minor Planet 14664 named in his honour. So far ahead of his time with planetary imaging I can only wonder at the astonishing images we would be treated to if he were still with us,
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=9329&highlight=Erwin+Vandervelden
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/14029937.html

2007 Nick Williams - A long time member of The Brisbane Astronomical Society. A regular at Qld Astrofest and known affectionately by my son for many years as "Hey Dad, that guy that laughs a lot is on the phone". Nick was a very keen amateur astronomer and contributed so much to amateur astronomy in Queensland over many, many years. There was so much more to Nick, as an accomplished bass player, we used to have some great music discussions having both come from the 80s Aussie pub rock scene.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=23521

Both very much missed by myself, I am sure others will contribute more about them.

PeterM.

[h0ughy]

thanks Peter

[Blue Skies]

I can think of two:

John Perdrix, co-founder of NACAA
and
Byron Soulsby (hope I've spelt that right).

[qld]

Mike Kerr ASNSW known to all

[Gerald Sargent]

Jim Whittaker, Urangan, Hervey Bay Qld, passed to the stars march 2011,
Jim was an active imager and radio astronomer, sadly missed, Gerald Sargent

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Frank Bateson -- one of, if not THE greatest amateur astronomer of all time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Bateson

Who ran the VSS in New Zealand for 77-odd years.


Best,

Les D

[ballaratdragons]

Dave, this is a fantastic idea.

Other forums I am in (not all astro) refuse to do this even when polled and voted for by hundreds of members!

The only person I can think of is Ian Thompson who died about 15 years ago, so he can't be added.
But a brief desciption so you'll all know who he was.
Ian was a key member of the Ballaarat Astronomical Society for 28 years.
He often single handed ran every Public outreach night for all those years.
He taught every Junior member how to grind their own mirrors and make their own telescopes.
He single-handed maintained the Historic Telescopes and Eyepiece collection at the Ballarat Observatory.
He trained every member in the use of the Historic Telescopes.
He also organised and ran every Social activity of the Society.
Ian did all this for those 28 years with a heavily deformed body from a severe form of Polio that restricted his movement, mobility, and speech.
Ian eventually died from his disease.