Gerry at the OASI 2007 summer barbecue at Newbourne.
Orwell Astronomical Society (Ipswich)
Gerry Pilling (d. 09 May 2025)
Gerry at the OASI 2007 summer barbecue at Newbourne.
I first met Gerry Pilling when he arrived as a visitor at the OASI Open Weekend at Orwell Park Observatory in October 1999. I'd brought along a Helios 80 mm short tube refractor and sited it among an array of telescopes in the Belvedere at the observatory. Gerry came over, noted that the telescope was pointed almost vertically, and asked me about the object visible in the eyepiece. I explained that it was M57, the Ring Nebula in the constellation Lyra, and that he would be looking at a planetary nebula formed from material thrown off by a star at the end of its life. When Gerry looked through the eyepiece and saw a hint of the smoke ring, it was a definite "wow" moment, and I could see that he was fired with enthusiasm!
We started talking. It turned out that Gerry had previously worked at BT Laboratories in Martlesham where I was based, and was working as a digital logic designer at Schlumberger in Felixstowe. He described his love of motorcycles, sports cars, technology and gadgets of all kinds. He also loved building, operating, and fixing radio controlled model boats and aeroplanes.
A little after the open weekend, in 2000, Gerry joined OASI and involved himself in activities including the Small Telescope Observing Nights (STONs) which had started in 1999 and ran on Monday evenings with Ted Sampson as observing director. In 2003, Gerry took over from Ted as observing director. With the able assistance of fellow members Paddy O'Sullivan and Dave Robinson, Gerry helped members gain confidence in finding their way around the night sky and develop practical skills in using small telescopes, primarily the 254 mm Dobsonian reflector and Meade ETX-125 Maksutov-Cassegrain. STONs always included a programme of themed observing targets in the southern skies visible from the observatory over the River Orwell. Gerry played a huge part in welcoming members and helping them find their feet in their astronomy journeys. He freely offered advice and was instrumental in helping members resolve problems with their equipment. If a member didn't own a telescope, Gerry was always on hand to advise the best choice based on lifestyles and needs.
With his love of gadgets and radio controlled models, the ETX-125 was the logical choice of telescope for Gerry and the instrument became a beloved companion for observing the night-time sky and the Sun (using a glass solar filter). Keen to further his knowledge beyond that offered by Meade's manual for the telescope, Gerry purchased a copy of Using the Meade ETX: 100 Objects You Can Really See with the Mighty ETX by Mike Weasner. Gerry's inherent curiosity led to the discovery of undocumented features within the firmware of the Autostar handset for the ETX, and he always had a comment (or three) about the matter: "My Meade is supposed to do it like this, and it doesn't work so I manage to get round it like this. I still don't know why!" On 5/1/2005, Gerry relayed his experiences to the membership and presented a talk to members of OASI on "Making Friends with the Meade ETX-125". He also acquired a Fullerscopes 203 mm Dobsonian and appreciated the increased aperture and operational simplicity that it offered.
Gerry stepped down as STONs observing director in 2015. At that time, only three of the five balcony windows in the Belvedere remained operational and STON meetings were experiencing significantly increased levels of light pollution. STON activities migrated to Newbourne and Gerry and his ETX became a regular fixture there.
Gerry participated in many OASI observing projects. His favourite term describing the appearance of a nebulous object through an eyepiece was "a fuzzy blob". Here are some edited highlights:
Gerry observing the transit of Venus from the Belvedere.
While serving as OASI Chairman (2009-2013), I soon learned to allow a slot at the AGM for Gerry and Paddy O'Sullivan. There was always mention of the worsening state of the balcony windows at the Belvedere and a timely reminder whenever the trees around the observatory needed trimming!
On a personal level, Gerry was extremely supportive after I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014. By pure coincidence, he had a hospital appointment on the same day as my first treatment session and came over and sat with me. As was customary, we started chatting about lots of things unrelated to astronomy. I was invited to an Ipswich Model Boat Club event at Needham Lakes the following week where I met Gerry and his predecessor as STONs director, Ted Sampson. I remember being handed "the controls" of Ted's boat and, under their watchful guidance, no boating mishaps occurred that day!
Gerry suffered from a long-term back condition and, not long after the event at Needham Lakes, his mobility deteriorated and he was unable to travel or attend OASI meetings. Due to ill health, he did not renew his membership in 2023. In November 2024, Jackie emailed me saying that Gerry was confined to home and wished to donate his Meade ETX to OASI. I visited a couple of times and we managed brief periods of conversation. I pay tribute to Jackie, family members, and professional staff who cared for Gerry towards the end.
Gerry passed away on Friday 09 May 2025. His funeral on 12 June was held at St Mary's Church in Martlesham. As a former motorcyclist, it was particularly appropriate that he arrived in a motorcycle hearse. The service and wake at the Newbourne Fox was memorable and well attended. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Gerry a wonderful voyage of discovery among the stars.
Neil Morley