By Phil Barnard
On 6 January 2020, I received the following sad news, reported on: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/merritt-island-fl/ronald-maddison-8979371
Ronald Charles Maddison passed away peacefully at the Advent Hospital in Orlando, aged 84. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife Margaret, dear father to Christopher, Julia and stepson Mark. Ron was born in Birmingham, England, where he taught Astrophysics for 33 years. He moved to Florida in 1991 and was Observatory Director at the BCC Planetarium until 2006. He was a great lover of steam trains, spending many happy hours building models.
Ron Maddison was the first Director of Keele University Observatory, and is still remembered for his pioneering work there. In the 1960s and 70s, when he was on the lecturing circuit, he was a good friend to Wolverhampton Astronomical Society, also joining our weekend astronomy courses at Alston Hall. He will be fondly remembered by the long-standing members of the Society; for his infectious enthusiasm and his eagerness to impart a love of astronomy to the general public. And especially, just for being a memorably nice person to know.
Keele University tributes: https://www.keele.ac.uk/scps/newsandevents/news/2020/january/observatory-tribute/ron-maddison-tribute.php
He is also remembered as a founder member of the committee which set up Astronomy Now magazine and for his work for the International Astronomical Union.
Ron was the third President of the Antique Telescope Society, which was the source of the news item.
