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In Memoriam – Lee Mesibov
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the shocking and distressing news that our club president, Lee Mesibov, died in a tree felling accident on Monday, April 19th, 2022
A memorial radio show for Lee Mesibov was held on Dixon’s KLDK 96.5 FM on Sunday, May 2 from 3-4.
Community members and astronomers who knew and loved Lee called into the station and shared memories of him.
Longtime resident with his wife Patty of Rinconada and president of El Valle Astronomers, Lee passed away last week while helping a neighbor work on a tree.
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the shocking and distressing news that our club president, Lee Mesibov, died in a tree felling accident on Monday, April 19th.
Lee was a founder of the El Valle Astronomers and has been its president since it was founded in the mid 90’s. Those of us that knew him well will sorely miss his vast enthusiasm, and his comprehensive experience of astronomy. He was so lively and encouraging that many of us joined the club, enticed by his energy and knowledge.
Raised in Delaware, Lee worked in several different fields. He served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a technician at Los Alamos National Lab and other high tech research companies in NM, and toured the US installing and repairing Astronomical Planetariums. Lee and Patty did their intensive and innovative farming in the ’90s. They farmed until they ran out of money, at which point he had to go to the Lab. When he retired from L.A.N.L., he joined his wife Patty in their Farm in Rinconada full time, growing fruit and vegetables and raising goats.
In addition to Patty, Lee is survived by his mother (who he used to drive back and forth between her homes in Florida & Delaware) and his three brothers, one of whom is Lee’s twin.
Our loss is huge and we will miss him immensely.
Two poems dedicated to Lee:
Galaxies
Dedicated to Lee Mesibov
Frolicking inside your stars bursting and glittering
your arms spiraling and twisting leaving us
to wonder what lies inside your body of glistening stars
your infinite beauty shines like a flower in bloom
new stars blooming, shining, and growing beautifully.
By Lidah Setenaya Larsen
Poem for Lee
In your hands,
forgotten trees
ripened fruit…
Under your gaze,
galaxies cohered
and shimmered…
And when you spoke-
possibility
effervesced!
In stardust and
in soil, dear Lee,
come home again.
By Lyn Kirmse