Celestron Founder Thomas J. Johnson Passes Away
CELESTRON PRESS RELEASE
March 13, 2012
We are deeply saddened to announce that Celestron founder, Thomas J. Johnson, passed away at 5am PST on March 13, 2012.
Tom's innovative, pioneering spirit created a revolutionary method of mass producing an affordable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope design, which allowed millions of amateur astronomers to pursue their passion for astronomy. Other notable achievements include a 1978 David Richardson Medal from the Optical Society of America, a 1993 Bruce Blair Medal from the Western Amateur Astronomers, and a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Small Telescope and Astronomical Society.
Our hearts go out to Tom's wife and family and to all who were touched by his achievements and innovation.
Joseph A. Lupica, Jr.
President & CEO
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Fellow AstroMarter and author of Celestron The Early Years, Robert Piekiel, summarized Mr. Johnson's accomplishment by stating "Tom did more to popularize amateur astronomy in the 20th century than probably any other man, with his development of the commercial SCT and Celestron. I am saddened as his passing, but glad I got to know him over the years."
RIP Mr. Johnson.
For more information:
http://www.celestron.com/portal/articles/cat/news/post/tom-johnson
http://vimeo.com/10073192
http://www.astronomy.com/en/News-Observing/News/2012/03/Celestron%20founder%20dies%20at%20age%2089.aspx
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Tom-Johnson-xxxx1502012-142534025.html
March 13, 2012
We are deeply saddened to announce that Celestron founder, Thomas J. Johnson, passed away at 5am PST on March 13, 2012.
Tom's innovative, pioneering spirit created a revolutionary method of mass producing an affordable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope design, which allowed millions of amateur astronomers to pursue their passion for astronomy. Other notable achievements include a 1978 David Richardson Medal from the Optical Society of America, a 1993 Bruce Blair Medal from the Western Amateur Astronomers, and a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Small Telescope and Astronomical Society.
Our hearts go out to Tom's wife and family and to all who were touched by his achievements and innovation.
Joseph A. Lupica, Jr.
President & CEO
-------------------------
Fellow AstroMarter and author of Celestron The Early Years, Robert Piekiel, summarized Mr. Johnson's accomplishment by stating "Tom did more to popularize amateur astronomy in the 20th century than probably any other man, with his development of the commercial SCT and Celestron. I am saddened as his passing, but glad I got to know him over the years."
RIP Mr. Johnson.
For more information:
http://www.celestron.com/portal/articles/cat/news/post/tom-johnson
http://vimeo.com/10073192
http://www.astronomy.com/en/News-Observing/News/2012/03/Celestron%20founder%20dies%20at%20age%2089.aspx
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Tom-Johnson-xxxx1502012-142534025.html
Funding Member
