I only found out about Erwins passing yesterday ( saturday ) afternoon when I turned up at Rons at Kenilworth.
It was at Astrofest this year that I first met him in person. He was parked next to me, and I was witness to his energetic enthusiasm that seemed to infect everyone he came in contact with.
I dedicated last nights star party to his memory.
His ashes will be placed on a private observing site in Leyburn QLD, on Erwin’s favourite observation spot where he made many beautiful photographs.
That is simply fantastic and so right!
There is a photo from one of the guys in this post where Erwin had painted a big white circle around where he was going to set up to observe. I have a very big silly grin on my face picturing that very same scenario now where his ashes will be laid to rest.
He might even say
"Thanks for coming to visit me in my 24 hour observing spot with seeing and transparency at 11/10, but would you mind stepping outside the circle!!"
I've just found this thread, This is Sad news, I'm stunned. Me and Jake met
Erwin on a couple of occassions, Leyburn in Feb 05 and this years AstroFest
QLD. He was quite a gentleman and will be sadly missed. His planetary imaging
was truly awesome and an inspiration to all. He also gave me my first taste
in Pentax ep's, thanks mate!
Me and Jake both send our condolences to his family and close friends.
David, that's a lovely idea, we will have to travel out there again to pay our
repects.
I am just cutting and pasteing from a message I sent to other lists. This is as all I know at this stage. If forum users have a t-shirt they may wish to wear it as well.
Erwin was one of those enthusiastic and gifted amateur
astronomers that we meet only rarely.
All those who wish to say good-bye to him may do so on Friday the 7th
of October at 2PM at the Metropolitan Funerals Chapel, 224 Newnham
Road, Mt Gravatt.
His ashes will be placed on a private observing site in Leyburn QLD,
on Erwin's favourite observation spot where he made many beautiful
photographs. We will notify you when in November the Memorial stone
will be placed.
Terry Lovejoy has posted a very fitting memorial to Erwin on his
website. There is a wonderful picture of Erwin as we remember him best
along with a gallery of his superb images. Those of you who did not
know Erwin personally may also like to visit the site to see why his
work was so highly regarded in the world wide astronomical community.
The SAS members have been asked to wear their club shirts to honour
them and a request has been made to BAS members to do the same with
their BAs shirts. It is an appropriate mark of respect for someone who
was an active member of both clubs.
I was truely shocked when I read this thread, was totally not what I expected. I meant to leave a message a while ago but couldnt think of anything to write. It really is terrible news. I never knew Erwin, never spoke to or met him, but had a quiet respect for both him and the awesome images he shared with us on the forum. The image scale and quality of his planetry images were always awe inspiring.
My sympathy to his family and friends. He is lucky in one way, though, as a lot of people go through life without really leaving much behind as a memento. Erwin on the other hand has left us with some simply stunning images to help remember him by. Goodbye Erwin!
Today was the funeral of Erwin René van der Velden who sadly and suddenly passed away on Tuesday 27th September 2005.
The funeral service was held in Brisbane at 2:00pm and was attended by Erwin’s Mother and Sister (from Holland) along with between 60 and 70 friends and fellow astronomers representing all the South East Queensland Clubs, his place of work (York Optical) and several other SE Qld astronomy retailers.
It was both a farewell to a dear and beloved friend as well as a celebration of the short but full life of a remarkable man who lived life with a passion, joy and an intensity that endeared him to all whom his special gifts and talents touched.
The service opened with the emotional, haunting theme from “Chariots of Fire” followed by a moving speech from the Funeral Celebrant, guiding us from our sadness at the loss of Erwin through to the celebration of his 39 full years on this Earth, during which he pursued the varied hobbies of amateur astronomy, amateur radio, motor cycling, mountaineering, athletics, photography, scuba diving, electronics and computing.
Erwin became an Australian Citizen in Feb 2005 and it was appropriate that part way through the service, “Still Call Australia Home” was played, a fitting tribute to Erwin’s love for this great land down under, which he called home. Erwin was born in Rotterdam on 25 January 1966.
Representatives from the Southern Astronomical Society (Noelene) and the Brisbane Astronomical Society (Tony) also spoke, celebrating the life and achievements of their favourite adopted son from north of the equator.
Renato transcribed a message from Erwin’s good friend Albert into morse code, which was played out as the celebrant read the message - the haunting simplicity of the short beeps were in stark contrast to the immense void that Erwin’s passing has left in our hearts.
The service came to an end to the strains of “Time To Say Goodbye” as we all bade farewell to the bright, young life of this rare human being, whose immortal soul can now sail along the river of light we call the Milky Way. With his beaming smile and that twinkle in his eye, I’m sure Erwin will gaze down and smile at us mortals as we point our optical tubes heavenwards, to grasp the beauty and majesty of this magnificent creation that allowed such a rare and wonderful talent shine amongst us.
Farewell Erwin, God speed and may you rest in peace.
I would have loved to have been there, the service sounded so fitting, and very emotional. Maybe too emotional for a boofy Astronomer to handle and control. i bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and the happy times and the effect he had on everyone, he will be remembered for that. Supernova Erwin!
Amen Dennis, That was a beautiful and fitting tribute.
"Its not what we say, but what we do in life that counts"
Erwin has left us a wonderful legasy in his Images.
RIP Erwin.
Thank you Dennis. Erwins Mother and sister no doubt were very touched by Noelene and Tony's words. Thank you also for leaving the message on my Pbase page.
I would have loved to have been there, the service sounded so fitting, and very emotional. Maybe too emotional for a boofy Astronomer to handle and control. i bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and the happy times and the effect he had on everyone, he will be remembered for that. Supernova Erwin!
Well said Houghy - echos my feelings too - a remarkable human being - Ad Astra Erwin - from a humbled Fan. and thankyou Dennis for that beautiful eulogy.
Kearn
Thank you Dennis. You made me feel as if I was there. Very thoughtfully written.
For those of us that could not be there it was very discriptive. I thank you for posting it so we could be distant observers and participants, much the way we were with Erwin in here.
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Amen
