Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Fund

Robert Burnham compiled his three volume Celestial Handbook while working at Lowell Observatory as part of the Stellar Proper Motion Survey. This grassroots effort began on a Cloudy Nights discussion forum, and with the guidance of Burnham’s sister, Viola Courtney, and her daughter Donna Cox, has grown to include numerous members of the astronomy community, including the honorary chairman of our fundraising committee Jack Horkheimer of the Miami Science Museum, better known for his PBS Star Gazer series.

Status of the effort to memorialize Robert Burnham Jr.

August 11, 2009

Program for the Memorial Dedication

July 7, 2009

Please Join Us in the Unveiling Celebration of the Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial at Lowell Observatory’s Henry Giclas Hall in the Steele Visitors Center 1400 West Mars Hill Road Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Saturday August 15, 2009 2:00-3:00 p.m.
No need to RSVP; for questions, contact Kevin Schindler at Lowell Observatory (928) 233-3210 or Jennifer Polakis (480) 967-1658 after July 30.

June 1, 2009

We would like to thank everyone who donated their time, effort, and money to the Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Fund. The plaque was installed at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona on May 29, 2009. A plan is in the works for a dedication ceremony to take place at the Observatory possibly around August 2009.

Please check back with East Valley Astronomy Club often for further details and a photo of the installed memorial.

Please discontinue contributions to this fund at this time. I say this with a very special thanks to East Valley Astronomy Club who so graciously took on the task of setting up this donation account including maintenance well past the original agreed upon date.

A suggested and deserving place to put an astronomy donation in the memory of Robert Burnham Jr. is The Friends of Lowell Observatory Friends of Lowell Observatory .

The balance of the fund will be put into a scholarship check for a student at Prescott High School (Burnham's Alma Mater) to pursue an astronomy related field at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

For questions email Jennifer or call 480-967-1658. If you would like to be included on a short-lived Email list regarding the status of the memorial, dedication ceremony, etc., please email Jennifer directly. If you would like a formal thank you/invitation via regular mail, please include your street address.

Kindest regards to all of you on behalf of the Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Project.