WE HAVE LOST PRECIOUS MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO OUR LIVES.
THIS SECTION, IN A SMALL WAY, KEEPS THEM CONNECTED TO US & ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR THEIR INSPIRATION.
This was read at the memorial for Nancy Savage on June 8, 2018.
From THE SOUL OF THE NIGHT—AN ASTRONOMICAL PILGRIMAGE
BY CHET RAYMO
“Our universe, the universe that began 15 billion years ago in a fireball of radiant energy and matter, may be just one universe among many. Universes may boil like bubbles from a greater matrix of hyperspace & hypertime, popping into existence as quantum fluctuations in that superspace of positive energy of stars & galaxies balanced by the negative potential energy of gravity, a bubble of Creation that adds up to zero, a bubble that exploded from nothingness, without violation of the laws of physics, a bubble that contains our space and our time and our Milky Way and its billions and billions of sibling galaxies. If the conjurers who do these calculations are right, then universes are popping into existence all the time, and our starry night is the interior of a single bubble of galaxies in a frothy ongoing spontaneous creation.
If this stuff makes your head spin, you are in good company. Having a head that can spin is a requirement of all great science. Copernicus’ head was spinning when he recognized that the Earth was one planet among many. Newton’s head was spinning when he told us the sun was just another star. Hubble’s head was spinning when he proved that the spiral nebulae were Milky Ways.
Alan MacRobert writes: “Whatever else is in the character of nature, as we see it unfolding into ever more abundant vistas before our patient inquiry, we find that it does not economize on its size & richness.”
GOD’S HHA, HHA, HHA WAS NO SNICKER,
BUT A ROARING BELLY LAUGH.
“Physicists have discovered that matter is a thing of astonishing beauty & texture. It is building block and architect, music and composer. It is the head of the snake and the tail, the ‘B’ of the Beginning and the ‘e’ of Time. The physicists hope that by probing matter on the smallest possible scale they will draw into closer contemplation of the ultimate mysteries that have intrigued theologians, philosophers & scientists alike. What is the universe? Where did it come from? Where will it go? And what is this thing called LIFE that dances on the surface of matter like a residing flame?”
And then way too soon is extinguished.
Jerrold Granock was a co-founder of
THE SAN JUAN STARGAZERS ASTRONOMY CLUB
WRITTEN BY JOAN MIERITZ, THE OTHER CO-FOUNDER
It grieves me greatly to be writing this Obituary for Jerrold Granok who died on November 28, 2023, after several years of declining health. He had to cut down on activities during covid because several of his health issues put him at a much higher risk. The last club meeting that he attended was the “going away” party on May 4 ,2023, for Janie Garms who moved to New Mexico. She also helped immensely in growing the club.
Jerry & I were a great team to form the San Juan Stargazers in 2012 & 2013. I was the “social director” to organize the club & set up fun activities. Jerry was the “science expert” who knew so much about Astronomy & telescopes. He loved going into extraordinarily long & detailed explanations because he wanted to share his vast knowledge.
Jerry & I met when Lon Hoffman, who had known us both while he was overseeing the Night Sky Programs at Chimney Rock , was leaving & wanted to find someone, or maybe even better, two people to fill the job he had been doing. Jerry had worked with Lon to get the two 10’ Dobsonians that we are still using. I had been on the Chimney Rock Board of Directors in the years that we were becoming a National Monument. Everyone on the Board knew of my interest & background in Astronomy & it seemed like the next logical step for me to do the Night Sky Programs. I was pleased that Jerry & I could work as a team. I feel about telescopes the same way I do about my oven; it is something that I use. Jerry loved telescopes & had quite a few of them. He knew EVERYTHING about each one. He is probably best known in Pagosa Springs & at Chimney Rock as the man who always had his Solar Telescope out for daytime events. It was fabulous looking at the sun as often as we did. Jerry certainly shared his view with thousands of people over the years. It truly is our “Favorite Star.” And in that phrase is a lesson, that our Sun is a star just like we see hundreds of every night. (They all have solar systems, but only the stars can be seen. We now have the James Webb Space Telescope which can see exo-planets.)
Jerry was born in Chicago, Illinois & attended the University of Chicago, receiving both a bachelor’s & master’s degree in chemistry. He worked as an industrial chemist at Armour. He married Tara Allen & they had twin sons. Son, Dr. Alexander Granok, MD, and his wife live in Manchester, N.H. and son, Dr. Howard Granok, Ph.D., and his wife live in St. Lewis, Mo. After many years Jerry left industrial chemistry & moved to Albuquerque to start in the “new field” of computer programming. He became active in the Albuquerque Astronomy Club & used much from that experience in forming the San Juan Stargazers. After he retired, he moved to Pagosa Springs & of course, got involved in the Astronomy part of Chimney Rock Interpretative Association. He was also always on hand when it came time to recruit new members for C.R.I.A. He was so diligent and through like a chemist or computer programmer. It was great being a team with Jerry Granok & I will always have a warm spot in my heart for him, I will always appreciate how we worked together to start and grow the San Juan Stargazers & I will always miss him.
His sons have chosen not to have a memorial for him, but the Stargazers will plan something special when the weather is warmer in appreciation for the wonderful job he did in getting the club started.
John Buting, of Durango, Colorado, age 62, extraordinary astronomer, died July 13, 2017, from heart failure. He had had a major heart attack in Durango and had been flown to Colorado Springs for heart surgery.
He was a member of the San Juan Stargazers, the Astronomical League and has been a Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA) Volunteer for 5 years. He is noted for the part he played in our Night Sky Programs, pointing out the constellations and telling so many fascinating stories. But what was the best was the command he had of his 20-inch telescope, showing people rare views of Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and so many of the Messier Objects, from the Swan and Veil Nebula to Star Clusters and galaxies of the Local Group. His knowledge was impressive and his passionate interest in the Universe was infectious. People left feeling wonder and amazement at what they had seen. John also did Star Parties in the Durango Area, at Mesa Verde National Park and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and the Powerhouse Science Museum. He also was a three-decade participant in AA.
John was the second child of a loving sibling group of seven. He is survived by his siblings: Tom; Jerry and his wife, Kathy; Marianne and her husband, Terry; Michael and his wife, Rina and Rosemary and her husband, Bjorn. There are also 6 nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.
John earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Oregon in 1980. After spending many years under the cloudy skies of Portland, he set out to find the location of his dreams with clear dark skies and deep powdered mountains in the winter. Each year he counted with so much joy, how many days he had been on the slopes.
Durango was the right location for him to fulfill his many dreams of skiing, having deep loving friendships, doing satisfying volunteer work and spending as much time as possible searching the deep dark sky. So many people can say, “my life is better because of John,” briefly or for longer, but certainly NOT FOR LONG ENOUGH. He is so deeply missed.
Nancy Mae Savage, May 2, 1954-December 31, 2017, was born in Los Angeles & grew up in California. She attended college and worked for Hughes Aircraft and General Dynamics. She passed from this life on New Year’s Eve, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona, after having a wonderful holiday in California. A graveside service was held in February at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California.
After taking an early retirement, Nancy moved to Pagosa Springs. She especially enjoyed attending the many musical events in town. She helped many people in Pagosa. She was a charter member of the San Juan Stargazers and regular telescope operator. Every July she participated in the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association Event called Life at Chimney Rock because she enjoyed sharing her love for Astronomy with children. We know that the ancient people at Chimney Rock paid great attention to astronomical events. The Stargazers love carrying on this legacy.
One thing that was so special about Nancy was her gentleness and almost child-like capacity to look at things with simple love & wonder. One of her favorite activities was to show kids something through her telescope and then they would giggle & get loud with wonder and excitement. I think Nancy & I became good friends because we could be like little girls together. But don’t get me wrong, she was a very smart lady who had worked as a computer programming analyst at Hughes Aircraft and at General Dynamics in California.
She was always open to learning something new. If she were here tonight, she’d have a huge smile and twinkle in her eyes during the reading written by Chet Raymo & later she’d say to me, “I knew that. Isn’t it mind-blowing?” written by Joan Mieritz
We miss you so much, John!! We miss your dazzling us as you spun your huge 20 inch telescope around to find something new to amaze us.
We miss you so much, Nancy!! We miss your unconditional love and care that you gave to each person who came near to your telescope.
We miss you so much, Jerry!! Thank you for all you did for Chimney Rock Interpretative Association and the San Juan Stargazers.