July 2, 1951 - August 6, 2023 Robert Neil Nicholson, 72, loving partner of Roberta Moyer of Alexandria, Virginia, left this world on the afternoon of August 6, 2023, after a courageous year long battle with cancer. Bob was born on July 2, 1951, in Manhattan, New York to the late Doris (nee) [...]
May 28, 2023 By Noreen Grice, Steve Russo and Sam Storch: Noreen Grice: For decades, Owen Gingerich participated in the "planetarium advisory committee" for the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science. Once or twice a year, the planetarium staff and the planetarium advisory committee met at the Museum. As I [...]
April 5, 1957 - April 30, 2022 Elizabeth Susanne Wasiluk, 65, of Martinsburg, WV, peacefully passed away on April 30th, surrounded by loved ones at the Berkeley Medical Center. Elizabeth, referred to as “Betty” by her cousins and friends in NY and in CA, was born on April 5, 1957, to Jon and [...]
June 5, 2021 Written by Noreen Grice and JT Towne Tina received a BA in anthropology from Franklin Pierce College in NH and worked at the Charles Hayden Planetarium (CHP), Boston, in the 1980s as the planetarium’s registrar. She coordinated admissions for the annual Lowell Astronomy Lectures and student enrollment for various astronomy courses. [...]
May 24, 1936 - January 30, 2021 Written by Sam Storch Steve Berr, an enthusiastic “Brooklyn boy” and retired planetarium director and astronomy evangelist has passed on to the stars he loved. A graduate of Brooklyn College and Temple University, Steve had majored in geology and began teaching in New York but soon [...]
January 13, 2021 Thomas Wallace Button, 82, of Chittenango, passed away peacefully at home. He was born in Middletown, New York and was raised in Roscoe, New York, by the late Charles E. and Aileen W. Button. He leaves behind his loving wife of 21 years, Naomi Susan Caldwell Button, who cared for [...]
1964 - February 19, 2020 Lawrence M. Krozel II, 55, passed away Feb. 19, 2020, at his home in Groton, CT. He was born in Hartford, the youngest son of the late Lawrence M. Krozel I and Vincentina (Mazzotta) Krozel of Middletown. A graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown, Larry went on to [...]
Dr. Eileen M. Starr died on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from cardiac arrest after bouts with COVID and a broken leg. She was a Spokane resident since 1979. Eileen, originally from Lakewood, Ohio, graduated from Lakewood High School where she received the Selzer Award for Biology. She earned a B.S. and A.M. from [...]
August 13, 1956 – September 26, 2020Submitted by Noreen GriceHow many of us have been inspired by someone who seems larger than life, almost a superhero of sorts, and who made anything seem possible? I remember visiting the planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science as a kid on school field trips [...]
February, 5 1968 — March 11, 2018 Gloria Ariane Villalobos was born on February 5th, 1968 to loving parents Emetrio “Emmett” Villalobos and Lucille Villarreal in Stockton California. Her father Emmett was in the military so Gloria began to travel the word at just seven weeks old. After high school Gloria went on to attend [...]
July 9, 1936 — December 19, 2017 Walter Tenschert ran the planetarium at Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County, VA from 1967 until his retirement in 1988. He was MAPS Treasurer 1975-1978. He was also involved in IPS, serving as membership chair starting in 1974, and added the duties of treasurer when he was [...]
March 4, 1930 - April 21, 2018Frances Decibus passed away peacefully Saturday April 21, 2018 at home with her loving care taker Nelly at her side. She was born and resided in Perth Amboy before moving to Metuchen over 30 years ago. She was a teacher and Planetarium Director for the Old Bridge [...]
March 8, 1939 - August 2, 2016 by Tara Reed Late Tuesday night, August 2, 2016, my dad's Alzheimer's Journey came to an end. What do you say about losing a parent so slowly, and then at the actual passing? So many things about his physical departure from our life was perfect: His [...]
1928-2014 by Paul J. Krupinski First MAPS Secretary/Treasurer Passes After Stellar Career The planetarium community has lost another shining star. Dr. James Roy Orgren, our very own first secretary/treasurer, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 in Columbia, MO. Jim Orgren was 86. […]
1938-2014 by Dennis Kurtz Educator, Planetarian, Dreamer, Listener, Mentor Peter was my mentor, colleague, and most of all my friend. Many in the MAPS community will remember him for his insight and dedication, not only to the planetarium field but to education in general. […]
April 22, 1955 – October 16, 2011 From the Portland Press Herald: Steve Innes, 56, died unexpectedly on Oct. 16, 2011. He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on April 22, 1955, the son of Rachel and Richard Innes. He graduated from high school in Ann Arbor, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University. He married [...]
? – March 1, 2010 by Steve Russo 11,369. A number that forever will live on in my head. All because of one person. One of our colleagues who just passed away. James H. Sharp. I only met him once, maybe twice, in person, but through a planetarium he helped build, I felt as if [...]
March 1, 1947 – January 30, 2010 by Paul Krupinski The planetarium community is truly saddened by the passing of a friend and colleague, Arthur W. Gielow, Jr., director of the Buffalo State College Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium, who died in Buffalo, New York on January 30, 2010. Art, who earned a M.S.Ed. in secondary education [...]
1920-2007 by Joe Rao Well known astronomer and popular lecturer at New York’s Hayden Planetarium, Dr Fred C. Hess, passed away last Thursday morning after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 87-years old. Among those of us who promote the science of astronomy in the Tri-State Metropolitan area, Dr. Hess had a status worthy [...]
1923-2007 by Joe Rao It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of astronomer, Kenneth L. Franklin. This afternoon, I received an E-mail from his daughter, Julie, who said that Ken passed away last night in Colorado. Two weeks ago he underwent heart surgery and was in intensive care ever since. Last night [...]