(meteorobs) Fwd: [BAA 00407] Neil Bone (1959-2009)

[Ed Majden]

Sad news!
Ed


Begin forwarded message:

> From: circadmin at britastro.org
> Date: April 25, 2009 3:46:38 AM PDT
> To: baalist1 at jupiter.astronet
> Subject: [BAA 00407] Neil Bone (1959-2009)
>
> ======================================================================
> BAA electronic bulletin No. 00407            http://www.britastro.org/
> ======================================================================
>
> Dear BAA Member,
>
> It is with great sadness we have to report that Neil M. Bone,  
> Director of
> the Meteor Section and author, died in the early hours of April 23  
> after a
> long battle against cancer.
>
> Born in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, Neil was elected a member of  
> the
> Association in 1980 whilst a student at Edinburgh University.   By
> profession, he was a Research Fellow in the Biochemistry Department  
> of the
> University of Sussex.  He founded the Aurora Section of the Junior
> Astronomical Society (now the Society for Popular Astronomy) in  
> 1981 and
> became Director of the BAA Meteor Section in 1992.  Neil was a former
> Vice-President of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh and was  
> awarded the
> BAA Merlin Medal in 2004.  Asteroid (7102) Neilbone was recently  
> named in
> his honour.
>
> Neil was a true star in the firmament of UK astronomy.  He had over  
> 30 years
> experience observing the sky and knew much about practical  
> observational
> astronomy.  He was the author of several well-respected books on  
> subjects
> astronomical and a regular contributor to Astronomy Now.  As a popular
> speaker on the meeting's circuit, he was a great inspiration to  
> anyone with
> an interest in Astronomy.  That he should take his leave of us on the
> occasion of the Lyrid meteor shower maximum was somehow poetically  
> ironic.
> He will be sorely missed.
>
> Neil's funeral will take place at the church of St Mary the Virgin,  
> Church
> Lane/Appledram Lane South, Apuldram, near Chichester on Tuesday 5  
> May at
> 2.00pm.  Neil wanted any collection or donations made in his name  
> to go to
> St Wilfred's Hospice, who nursed him to the end.  If you would like  
> to leave
> a message of condolence, please use the online form on the BAA  
> website at:
>
> http://britastro.org/baa/index.php? 
> option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=61&I
> temid=
>
> We extend our sincerest condolences to Gina and the family.
>
> Richard Miles
> Vice-President
>
>
>
>
> ======================================================================
> BAA electronic bulletins service.      E-mail: circadmin at britastro.org
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> Bulletin transmitted on  Sat Apr 25 11:46:37 BST 2009
> (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
> ======================================================================
>