HE WAS a Gisborne Astronomical Society star but the late Huon Chandler preferred to stay out of the limelight, says society president John Drummond of his long-time friend. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler was the societys long-standing treasurer and public nights presenter. <\/p>\n
Devoted to the society since the early 1970s, the Cook Observatory was like his second home, said Mr Drummond in his eulogy. <\/p>\n
Few know he paid the monthly power bills out of his own pocket when the society was at its ebb. <\/p>\n
He also regularly mowed the grass around the Cook Observatory for years and painted over graffiti as soon as it appeared on the observatory. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler ran public nights every Tuesday for about 25 years and his talks on cosmology and others aspects of astronomy were legendary. <\/p>\n
Those public nights even made it into the New Zealand Lonely Planet section on Gisborne. <\/p>\n
There are undoubtedly many other things that Huon did for the society and observatory that even I dont know, said Mr Drummond. <\/p>\n
Born in Dunedin in 1947, Mr Chandler joined the Inland Revenue Department on leaving school. When his family moved to Gisborne a few years later, he moved here too. <\/p>\n
He met his future wife, Carol, during a holiday in USA and in 1976. They married in Gisborne and raised two boys, Joseph and Matthew. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandlers varied career usually included a computer. <\/p>\n
A passionate reader, Mr Chandler had a particular penchant for science fiction and loved fantasy games. <\/p>\n
When computer fantasy games became available, he was in his element. <\/p>\n
He was equally in his element on starry nights. <\/p>\n
Mr Drummond recalls those nights. <\/p>\n
We discussed everything from astronomy, to politics, to God and, of course his family, which he always spoke of with pride and excitement. <\/p>\n
I remember one night on the roof of the Cook Observatory when Huon and I were observing a meteor shower. <\/p>\n
We got to talking about the movie Blazing Saddles and noticed more meteors. <\/p>\n
Later we revisited that comedy-western and again saw an increase in meteors. <\/p>\n
This happened a number of times during the night. It was a unique experience to us both and one that we joked about for many years after. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler died on May 26 after several months of illness. <\/p>\n
Farewell my old meteor-observing buddy, said Mr Drummond. <\/p>\n
May you shine like a star in your new abode forever. <\/p>\n
HE WAS a Gisborne Astronomical Society star but the late Huon Chandler preferred to stay out of the limelight, says society president John Drummond of his long-time friend. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler was the societys long-standing treasurer and public nights presenter. <\/p>\n
Devoted to the society since the early 1970s, the Cook Observatory was like his second home, said Mr Drummond in his eulogy. <\/p>\n
Few know he paid the monthly power bills out of his own pocket when the society was at its ebb. <\/p>\n
He also regularly mowed the grass around the Cook Observatory for years and painted over graffiti as soon as it appeared on the observatory. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler ran public nights every Tuesday for about 25 years and his talks on cosmology and others aspects of astronomy were legendary. <\/p>\n
Those public nights even made it into the New Zealand Lonely Planet section on Gisborne. <\/p>\n
There are undoubtedly many other things that Huon did for the society and observatory that even I dont know, said Mr Drummond. <\/p>\n
Born in Dunedin in 1947, Mr Chandler joined the Inland Revenue Department on leaving school. When his family moved to Gisborne a few years later, he moved here too. <\/p>\n
He met his future wife, Carol, during a holiday in USA and in 1976. They married in Gisborne and raised two boys, Joseph and Matthew. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandlers varied career usually included a computer. <\/p>\n
A passionate reader, Mr Chandler had a particular penchant for science fiction and loved fantasy games. <\/p>\n
When computer fantasy games became available, he was in his element. <\/p>\n
He was equally in his element on starry nights. <\/p>\n
Mr Drummond recalls those nights. <\/p>\n
We discussed everything from astronomy, to politics, to God and, of course his family, which he always spoke of with pride and excitement. <\/p>\n
I remember one night on the roof of the Cook Observatory when Huon and I were observing a meteor shower. <\/p>\n
We got to talking about the movie Blazing Saddles and noticed more meteors. <\/p>\n
Later we revisited that comedy-western and again saw an increase in meteors. <\/p>\n
This happened a number of times during the night. It was a unique experience to us both and one that we joked about for many years after. <\/p>\n
Mr Chandler died on May 26 after several months of illness. <\/p>\n
Farewell my old meteor-observing buddy, said Mr Drummond. <\/p>\n
May you shine like a star in your new abode forever. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Originally posted here:<\/p>\n
Stalwart of astronomy and proud family man - Gisborne Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HE WAS a Gisborne Astronomical Society star but the late Huon Chandler preferred to stay out of the limelight, says society president John Drummond of his long-time friend. Mr Chandler was the societys long-standing treasurer and public nights presenter Continue reading