Re:David Lukehurst - Dobsonian telescope maker

[Elara]

I’m not sure if this is the right place within the forums, but I do have family permission to post this…

David Lukehurst passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Thursday.

I’d been in communication with him and eventually received a note from his wife, ( Lindsey) giving me this sad news.

The family are attending to his business matters, but if you were awaiting orders etc please be aware they will have a lot on their ‘plate’ at present.

 

[alan potts]

Sad news indeed, on the back of I can't think of any place to post such bad new and this is well related to Equipment and also getting started, the only other section is maybe D.I.Y. If any of the other Mods or Admin decide it would be better elsewhere then I will leave it to them to move

Alan

[Alan White]

It is always saddening to read of people’s passing.
David was a very well known figure in our little world and his absence will be felt,
however his creations will live on.

[Astroscot2]

Very sad news,   such a talented telescope maker. A great loss to the astronomy community. My condolences to his family at this time.

 

Mark

Edited January 12 by Astroscot2

[nitram100]

Ah no way, that is very sad. Always desired one of his telescopes.  RIP

[tomato]

Very sad news indeed. I’ve only recently been looking at the well crafted telescopes on his website to get an idea on how to properly make a truss tube Dobsonian. My condolences to his family and friends.

[oldfruit]

This is very sad news indeed.

I had the pleasure of meeting him about 3 years ago as he delivered my EQ platform that I had ordered in person. A very pleasant chap. He was truly talented and a great craftsman of quality products. A great loss to the Astronomy community.

[Franklin]

Sad news.

Mr Lukehurst, as you all know, was famous for supplying hand-made dobsonian telescopes but I had to laugh when I met him a few years ago. He hand delivered a 6" refractor to me, which turned out to be his own private telescope. When I quizzed him in regard to his choice of a 6" F8 achromatic refractor over one of his own larger, dobsonian mounted reflectors he replied "They're just so sharp".

[seven_legs]

Sad news indeed

[Trikeflyer]

Very sad, my sincere condolences to his family. He was an icon in our Astro community and he and his fantastic products will be missed. 

[Giles_B]

This is very sad. He made an equatorial platform for me last year - he was a real craftsman.

[Elara]

Thank you to everyone who has commented so far!

I may forward these/your thoughts to his wife/family ( naturally I’ll ask them first) once I see a few more posts and a few more days have passed?

Unlike a number of you I  never met David in person, but had corresponded regarding a OTA for a mirror set I was thinking of.

[mert]

Sad news indeed,  i had the pleasure of using a large dobsonian he made and it was a beautiful telescope.

[Mkv]

As I was getting back into astronomy and reading forums over the past few weeks, I saw David's name mentioned quite often. It is sad to learn that he's passed away. RIP, you're with the stars now

[bosun21]

I conversed with David online last year and purchased a large EQ platform from him. Superb craftsman and a pleasure to do business with. RIP🙏.

[John]

This is very sad news.

Some of my most memorable astronomical views came around a decade ago using a 20 inch David Lukehurst dobsonian that was bought to one of the SGL star parties. It's owner asked me what I would like to see and I choose Messier 51 and Messier 13. Those views will be with me as long as I live.

I have often visited David's website to have a look at the photo gallary of the wonderful scopes that he had created, including a very large refractor. 

The astronomy community have lost a valued member. My thoughts are with David's family as well as they come to terms with their loss.

R.I.P David Lukehurst.

 

[Marvin Jenkins]

I never knew or even met him. I am just a guy with a couple of small cheap scopes.

However, I used to see his name appear in relation to telescopes that were in my dreams, not my reality. 

A real guy, but to us beginners, people like him and the equipment he created are the pinnacle. 

My condolences to his family.

Marvin

[Ludd]

Very sad to hear this news.  I feel privileged to have one of his scopes, and he made me an eq platform last year which has brought joy to my observing.  

[SpookyKatt]

Very sorry to hear rhis, I met him while selling him a scope and he was a lovely
man. My condolences to his family.

Kathleen

[Paz]

I am very sorry to hear this news, David was well respected in our community.

[Peter Drew]

So sad in so many directions.  I had the pleasure of meeting David and being at one time a professional telescope maker myself I am well aware of how much effort goes into a bespoke telescope.  A major loss to this craft.  My condolences to his family and friends.

[RT65CB-SWL]

My condolences to David Lukehurst’s wife, family and friends.

[niallk]

Sorry to hear this - I've drooled over his telescopes on-line many, many times.  Sincere condolences to his family.

[Trentend]

So sorry to hear this. Met David and his wife briefly a few years ago when collecting a beautifully made dob. Such a friendly and accommodating man. Thoughts with his family and friends.

Edited January 13 by Trentend

[ollypenrice]

First a gentleman. And then a very fine telescope craftsman. I went to his home in Nottingham to discuss a possible order when I was setting up Les Granges twenty years ago. Sadly I had so many demands on my available funds at that time that I had to go for a lesser instrument, second hand. However, I still have a vivid recollection of his courtesy and gentle manner. He really did make an impression on me and I'm deeply saddened by this news. Condolences, of course, to his family.

Olly