[ASA] Vale Dr Denis Coates

[John O'Byrne]

To ASA Members,
Unfortunately I have to announce the passing of another member of the Australian astronomical community.

Dr Denis Coates was an observational astronomer specialising in variable stars and an outstanding educator in the former Department of Physics at Monash. Those fortunate enough to know him will recall the clarity of his teaching, his collegiality and his wit.

Denis joined the Physics Department at Monash in 1961, only a few months after the establishment of the University. He was instrumental in establishing the Mt Burnett Observatory in 1972 (in the Dandenong Ranges). A cosmic ray physicist (from the University of Nottingham, UK) with a long interest in astronomy, Denis was the staff member assigned to the telescope project when the 16" was first purchased by the University, and he remained associated with the Observatory through to his retirement at the end of 1995.  He was an actively publishing emeritus thereafter and retained his ASA membership until 2011.

Denis died peacefully on 2 January at the age of 89 after a very short illness.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 14 January, 2pm at Tobin Brothers “Seasons of Life” Chapel, 331 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood (and via webcast, details here: https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/s5XmC1WLPxcER9zJkhLfJSVpDH6?domain=tobinbrothers.com.au).

Colleagues and friends are welcome to attend the service or leave tributes via the above link.

Our condolences to his family and all who knew him.

John



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"The standard you walk past is the standard you accept”
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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN O’BYRNE (he/him)
Secretary, Astronomical Society of Australia Inc.
Sydney Institute for Astronomy | School of Physics | Faculty of Science

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Rm 205, Physics Building A28
T +61 2 9351 3184  (forwarded when off campus)
E john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au<mailto:john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au>  | W  http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/john.obyrne
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