Day: November 15, 2008

In Memory

Words cannot begin to express my gratitude at the sympathy expressed by everyone over the passing of my Father.

 

Pop passed away quietly October 12th at my brother Jay’s home.  Jay & Liz will always be heroes near and dear to my heart if for no other reason than the kindness and caring nature they showed during this difficult time.  Taking care of all the arrangements and providing Momma with a sanctuary to deal with her grief as well as their own.  Allowing a loved one to die with dignity is such a great gift, like Ray Sanders did for Rene, I am indebted to Jay and Liz for their final gift to Pop.  Liz helped with Momma and Jay even made the Ossuary Box for Pop’s remains.

 

Unfortunately, I missed the graveside service since Karen had just gotten out the hospital and was still suffering from vertigo and I was needed at home to help take care of Mother Krell.

 

Making travel arrangements at the last minute, I did arrive in time to see many friends and family at Pop’s celebration service that evening.  I was actually on the plane when Pop was interred in a grave hand dug by Jay, friends and family.  The outpouring of respect from members of the community, church and family is a testament to the impact this gentle and shy man had on the lives of others. 

 

Kristi, Shawn, Erin and Callee drove over from Iowa to attend and I got to visit with them for just a few minutes before they had to leave.  For these 4, my heart grows ever fonder.

 

bob

My childhood fantasy Telescope

Journey to Palomar

Watch your local PBS station in November for the documentary on the Hale Telescope atop Mount Palomar in California.  This is the famous 200″, (16.7 feet) diameter telescope that I dreamed about visiting when I was a kid.  This telescope, and the incredible engineering challenge to manufacture it, is the 4th of 4 great telescopes designed by George Hale.  It dominated visible light and photo astronomy for 50 years.  Surpassed in size during the 1980’s by the 10 meter (393 inches or 32.75 feet) Keck telescope in Hawaii, this is one of the most important science and engineering feats until the moon landing.  Comparing the Hale Telescope to the moon landing is not an exaggeration.  Far more science has been done by by the Hale Telescope than all the moon landings combined.

Quote from PBS  “The story of American astronomer George Ellery Hale (1868–1938) and his efforts to build the world’s four largest telescopes — which set the stage for astronomy and space exploration throughout the 20th century, revealing the greatest discoveries since Galileo and Copernicus. Hale’s lifelong struggle to build these great instruments culminated with the million-pound telescope on Palomar Mountain.”

A current engineer who works at the Palomar Observatory asked how long the Hale Telescope could last and produce significant science, he said “forever.”  This amazing instrument has captured my imagination since I first heard about it in 3rd grade, (remember the Weekly Reader).  My grandfather even remembered being in the crowd gathered at the railroad tracks in Greencastle watching the “telescope train” pass by.  He didn’t understand the significance of the telescope, but since it made worldwide headlines the telescope train was watched at every town all the way from Pennsylvania to California.

bob