Re:David Lukehurst - Dobsonian telescope maker

[bish]

Very sad news. I have had some great views through a 20" David Lukehurst scope.  I had never met him but a big loss to the community 

[big_scot_nanny]

Ach, that’s really sad news. He was indeed a super chap to deal with, and built absolutely brilliant scopes. 

I have a 12” and 20” from him, indeed they were in action last night at the local park with my Cub Scout group, and I was marvelling at just how easy they are to use and how brilliant they are at their jobs. 

Thank you David and family for many years of fantastically enjoyable astronomy, and many years to come. Your scopes are inspiring generations of astronomers young and old alike. 

 

[RobW]

So sad to hear - David and I swapped a few emails about custom Dobs, and I very much had the idea of commissioning one from him some day. Came across as a thoroughly knowledgable and professional guy, and reviews and comments online suggested his scopes were the very best. May he RIP.

Edited February 21 by RobW

[PeterW]

Had kept an eye on his evolving creations over many years. Always thought I’d get him to build me a dob around a mirror I’ve picked up. So sad to hear of his passing, he’s done our hobby proud with all the scopes out there. Sincere condolences to his friends and family.

Peter

[Space Hopper]

I was unaware of this, and such sad news it is. Such a nice guy. May he RIP.

I remember him coming over to DDAS astro society - i bet it was 15 years ago to do a talk on telescope making.

@glafnazur could you pass this news over to the society, if they are unaware :  I think you may have been secretary when David did his talk back then ?

 

[Xilman]

Sad to hear this news.

Does anyone else make EQ platforms in the UK now that David Lukehurst no longer does.

 

[glafnazur]

3 hours ago, Space Hopper said:

I was unaware of this, and such sad news it is. Such a nice guy. May he RIP.

I remember him coming over to DDAS astro society - i bet it was 15 years ago to do a talk on telescope making.

@glafnazur could you pass this news over to the society, if they are unaware :  I think you may have been secretary when David did his talk back then ?

 

Sad news. Yes I  was Rob, I'll pass the news on.

[PeterW]

3 hours ago, Xilman said:

Sad to hear this news.

Does anyone else make EQ platforms in the UK now that David Lukehurst no longer does.

 

I saw one at Astrofest, https://www.firstlightoptics.com/equatorial-astronomy-mounts/omegon-dobsonian-polar-wedge.html not sure what sort of reviews it has.

 

peter

[throwaway45273562]

This is not a forum I use, however I felt the need to comment on this thread. I have only just learnt of this news after finding this thread, having not been able to reach dobsonians.co.uk.

David was a local telescope maker and a very skilled man. I came into posession approximately 5 years ago of a dobsionan built by him; an excellent piece of equipment which has brought me so much enjoyment and many wonderful memories over those years. I am incredibly grateful for the joy which - although indirectly - he has brought to me and I know many others both in the local area and beyond. I will continue to use my telescope built by him, which has been such an enabler for me in amateur astronomy, for as long as I can continue to take it outside to observe. I'm sure through many other peoples' passion for this hobby his telescopes will continue to serve for decades to come, and his legacy as a great man and great telescope maker shall go on.

My thanks are to him, and my thoughts are with his friends and family.