The news of the recent passing of Denver Astronomical Society member Ivan Geisler saddens us. He was 79.
Ivan was born in Indiana in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany and at Field Station Sinop during the Cold War, the latter a U.S. Army facility and listening post on the Black Sea coast about two miles west of Sinop, Turkey. Ivan used to share stories about his experiences and adventures while stationed there. Coincidentally, the late John Anderson was also based at Sinop around the same time, although the two didn’t know each other until years later when they met as members of DAS.
Ivan served many years as a Denver Astronomical Society Executive Board member, DAS President in 1983, and Treasurer in 1990. Ivan was also a long-time member of the Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship Committee.
Many will remember Ivan as an auctioneer during our annual auction, which was held in person at the University of Denver’s historic Chamberlin Observatory.
During our annual show-and-tell meeting, we always looked forward to his latest home-brew telescopes, astronomical accessories, and clever gadgets.
Ivan and the late Bill Ormsby traveled together to star parties in the late 1990s through the early 2000s. During those trips, Ivan was a licensed ham radio operator, another hobby he enjoyed.
Ivan held basic astronomy classes for DU students and others in the early 1990s.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to all Ivan has done for DAS. He will be missed.
