[meteorite-list] RIP Professor Colin Pillinger

From: Mark Ford <mark.ford_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 12:36:01 +0000
Message-ID: <89187F059E326D468A03FC821915759077EEA5_at_GAMMA2.ssl.atw>

Yes, Sad news indeed- A genuine space legend, he will be sadly missed, my thoughts to his family, friends and colleagues at the OU, thinking of them also.
 
Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: Meteorite-list [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of Martin Goff via Meteorite-list
Sent: 08 May 2014 12:49
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: [meteorite-list] RIP Professor Colin Pillinger

Hi all,

Sad news today on the passing of a space science legend Colin Pillinger. He died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage last night. He was a truly dedicated and inspirational man whose infectious enthusiasm for science was passed onto many over the years.

Up until last week I was in regular correspondence with Colin mostly about the subject of Wold Cottage and especially of the story of Major Edward Topham. He was working on a long term book project about Topham's life and it was this we discussed during out last conversation. I had acquired some original documents and artwork by Edward Topham that Colin was interested in. One thing I will always remember above all about him is his dry sense of humour and wit that made every conversation with him a joy.

The asteroid 15614 Pillinger that is named after him is only a tiny part of his huge legacy but one that I will remember him by everytime I gaze spacewards.

"Brilliant but a bit bonkers" is one of the most all encompassing quotes I have read about him today and one that rings very true. He was a true British boffin.

I know I posted this before but for anyone that didn't see it then please take an hour out of your day to watch this lecture by Colin and witness the warmth, wit and character of one of the greats of space science.

https://royalsociety.org/events/2012/stones-from-the-sky/

He will be sorely missed by many.

Sincerely

Martin
Martin Goff
www.msg-meteorites.co.uk
IMCA #3387
______________________________________________

Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com
Meteorite-list mailing list
Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Received on Thu 08 May 2014 08:36:01 AM PDT