Bernard Ray Hawke, director of the Pacific Regional Planetary Data Center (PRPDC), is dead at 68. He passed away in his sleep at Straub Hospital on Jan. 24.

A member of the University of Hawaii since 1978, Hawke initially joined as a planetary geologist and later became part of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology in 1983.

Hawke is noted for his research of collecting measurements of color at high resolution of small spots on the Moon, lunar geology, planetary photogeology and the cratering processes. His studies contributed to the understanding of the geological evolution of the lunar crust.

"He spent many hours at Hawaiis Mauna Kea Observatory, diligently working to make certain that data for the correct spot on the Moon was being acquired," saidPaul D. Spudsin his remembrance of the former planetary scientist.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1946, Hawke served in the army in 1970-71 and later analyzed lunar regolith chemistry as a Masters student at the University of Kentucky. He used a technique that would later be adopted "to decipher the geological history of the Apollo landing sites."

He later studied at Brown University where he earned another M.S. and a Ph.D in geological studies.

Hawke is survived by his brother Stephen, Stephens wife Nancie, and their children David and Michael of Columbia, Missouri.

A memorial gathering will be held in the Pacific Regional Planetary Data Center (POST 544) on Sunday, February 15 at 3 p.m.

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UH planetary director B. Ray Hawke dead at 68