Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society

 

Chris Hulbe

In Memory of an SVAS Legend 

            On February 20, 2010, longtime SVAS Board member, supporter, outreach volunteer and club memory Christoph Hulbe passed away.  There wasn’t much regarding the SVAS that Chris wasn’t a part of.  I became a member mainly at his urging (I like to joke that he threw me in his trunk and drove me to my first meeting).  Those of us who are or were on the Board are saddened by this giant loss to the Society and offer our condolences to his wife Claudia, son Chris, and daughter Christina.  We are also pleased that Claudia was willing to fill in the last part of Chris’ term as a Board member.  Chris’ contributions alone to the SVAS Observer newsletter are worth note in itself as he kept that vital link to our membership going for decades through troubles, storms and petty politics.

            Anyone who has been with the SVAS for more than a few years will have their own Chris stories.  I was proud and privileged to work with Chris in my present position while he was a professor at SCC and pleased to work with him within the SVAS also.  At SCC he taught (at various times) geology, astronomy and physics.  Unlike many of us, as Chris aged he never lost his enthusiasm for the latest technology and was always trying to find ways of applying it to public outreach and education.  He also never spoke ill of people, regardless of what ill someone had done (I used to figure out the deal when Chris would get silent after a particular name was brought up).  He was a man of great integrity, childlike wonder, and enthusiasm usually found only in twenty year olds.  He was one of those rare people who was truly loved by all.  He will be missed.

Liam McDaid, SVAS President

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