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THE EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE OBSERVER The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Issue 99 Special Bill Putnam Edition

Bill stands next to Percival Bill Putnam’s Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea Model “Y” touring car. Years Legacy after repurchasing the car and by Kevin Schindler bringing it back to Hill, Bill would bring out “Big Red” for special events such as the In this special issue of The Observer, groundbreaking of the William we pay tribute to William Lowell Putnam IV Lowell Putnam Library and Collections Center in 2013. (Bill), who served as trustee of the observatory for 26 years before retiring on his 89th primarily on children and birthday on October 25th, 2013. During education. In a year of tragedy for Bill’s reign as sole trustee, the observatory the Putnams, Joan died in March enhanced its scientific and educational of 1993 of cancer (Bill’s mother reputation with the additions of new facilities died in January and his oldest such as the Discovery Channel sister, Carol, died in February). (DCT) and Steele Visitor Center. The By 1952, Bill was back in Springfield, working at the Greater number of staff increased significantly and injury earned him a Purple Heart but didn’t Springfield Chamber of Commerce. This income generated through grants, private keep him out of action for long. He was later job didn’t last long, as he soon turned his donations, and endowment growth soared. decorated for gallantry in action, earning attention to television, founding in 1953 Thanks to Bill’s leadership, the future of the both the Silver and Bronze Stars. WWLP, Springfield’s first TV station and observatory is pointed in the right direction. After the war ended, Putnam went the first licensed UHF television station in Bill Putnam was born in Springfield, back to Harvard and finished his schooling in the . His on October 25th, 1924, the geology. He then landed a job in the geology Corporation would later buy four more third of six children born to Roger and department at Tufts University, the “third stations before Putnam sold the company and Caroline Putnam. While studying geology at person in a two-person department,” as he retired in 1984. Harvard, he volunteered to fight in World would later recall. In addition to many other broadcasting War II, enlisting as a private and joining the In September, 1951 Bill married Joan honors, Putnam was inducted into the elite 10th Mountain Division, a specialized Faith Fitzgerald, the same year she graduated Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2001.While ski unit trained to fight in mountainous from Mt. Holyoke College. Joan was born making a name for himself in the broadcasting and arctic conditions. He served in both in Milton, MA on August 16, 1930. Bill world, Putnam also became prominent the Aleutian and Italian campaigns, rising and Joan’s first child, Katherine E. Putnam in alpinist circles. He made several first to the rank of first lieutenant along the way. (Kate), was born in July, 1952 and William ascents and exploratory expeditions in the During a skirmish near Castel d’Aiano in Lowell Putnam IV (Lowell) came along in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, Putnam 1954. Joan was a very involved member of the continued on page 4 was wounded, picking up some shrapnel community and served on many boards at the that remains in his body today. The resulting local, state and national level, concentrating IN THIS ISSUE 1 Bill Putnam’s Legacy Bill Putnam inspired all of us at Discovery to think big about ways to use new technologies to create a next-generation 2 Director’s Update telescope to advance basic scientific research in . 2 Trustee’s Letter The result is the Discovery Channel Telescope, which will 3 My Boss, Bill Putnam pioneer new knowledge of the universe for decades to come. 5 Kitty Putnam: 1916-2014 - John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications 6 The Putnams and Lowell 8 Highlights of Bill’s Tenure 2 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition

with a 4-meter class instrument. Today the old parking lot is a set of walkways and a I met Bill early in my public service career. I visitor center with a thriving outreach program. The was struck by Bill’s persona and genuineness. impromptu storage building His compassion for Flagstaff and his was upgraded, thanks to John willingness to invest in our community is Hendricks, to house the staff apparent in everything he does. Bill brought that did a marvelous job so much to Flagstaff, not only through Lowell building the 4-meter Discovery Observatory, but through the countless hours Channel Telescope, and now Director’s houses our fundraising and he invested in making our community a outreach team. The instrument better place. You rarely meet individuals as Update shop is vastly expanded, thanks special as Bill, and I feel l lucky to call Bill a by Jeffrey Hall to our benefactor John , mentor and a friend. and our instrument group will - Elizabeth Archuleta, Coconino Country Supervisor, soon have finished the complex I arrived at Lowell District 2 Observatory 21 years ago. DCT first light instrument In those days, we parked suite. in a small lot between the Lowell has grown Slipher Building and what radically in the past twenty was then called the Planetary years and is a fundamentally talking with various of our Research Center. The staff different place than it was partner institutions and other worked principally in those in 1992. This change was research organizations around buildings as well as in a small spurred by the guidance the country to gain from their instrument shop up the hill. and determination of Bill perspectives. One consistent Near the campus entrance Putnam and Bob Millis, to theme is the high regard and was a small building piled to whom Lowell will forever respect that they have for the rafters with, among other owe its gratitude. It is fitting, . That is due things, a pool table. There was following Bill’s retirement to the ongoing efforts of our scientific staff, our outreach occasional discussion of a larger as trustee, that this issue of team and the great support telescope than the Perkins the Observer celebrates his Trustee’s provided by the Advisory Board 1.8-meter; in fact, I remember lifetime of dedication to the and the Friends of Lowell. I giving a talk in 1994 with Ted observatory. Many thanks, Bill, Letter also know that finding those Bowell to our Advisory Board for everything. by W. Lowell Putnam who want to support science about the science I could do and public engagement is key I want to thank all to our growth going forward. of you who have spoken or To that end I would ask all of Bill Putnam is a true force of nature and he written to me with your best you to be “ambassadors” for wishes. Taking over the role has been a father to many on Mars Hill, the Observatory and the work of sole trustee after Bill is we do. If you find people who including me. His insight, foresight and sheer very daunting. Having known like what we do and have done, will to make Lowell Observatory a 21st century three of the prior four trustees please encourage them to visit showpiece of the astronomical community since Percival’s death almost us, in person or online and be cannot be underestimated. Bill’s influence and a century ago, I consider part of building the future. myself both fortunate and a bit commitment have reinforced that perseverance I look forward to overwhelmed to continue the working with all of you to make and hard work trump a good challenge just job they have done. this place continue to be the about every time! We are living in gem of an institution we are all - Mike Beckage, Chair of Lowell Observatory’s “interesting times” as the so proud to be part of. Chinese expression goes, full Advisory Board Thank you, of both opportunities and risks. I have spent the past few W. Lowell Putnam weeks traveling around and THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition 3

My Boss, Bob Millis (center) listens as Bill (right) Bill Putnam speaks at the grand opening of by Bob Millis, Director Emeritus the Steele Visitor Center in 1994. The construction of When Bill became trustee, almost the visitor center none of us at Lowell had ever met him. He was the first of quickly made it clear that he intended to be several capital an agent of change. He told us he wanted projects completed during Bill’s tenure. Lowell Observatory to do astronomy in The new facility the public interest. We weren’t sure what featured a 125-seat that meant. He told us he wanted us to get auditorium, hands- over the mindset of institutional poverty. on exhibit hall, and Indeed, we all had come to believe that gift shop. Since the visitor center unflagging fiscal caution was essential and opened, more than perhaps the effects of that mindset were one million people evident in the condition of our buildings have visited the and grounds. And, finally, Bill wanted us observatory to learn to develop a plan to take Lowell to the about the universe and gaze at the dark next level. He had no interest in simply skies of Flagstaff. preserving the status quo. Jay Gallagher, who was director of Sometimes, I was afraid we had gone too he and I would both admit we had our Lowell when Bill became trustee, stepped far, but Bill never wavered. occasional ups and downs. In his personal down after a couple of years to take a Finally, Bill was an active helper. crusade to beautify the Lowell campus, I new job in Washington, DC. I became, He worked to make Lowell a better place. would sometimes get my nose out of joint first, acting director, and then, after a He was prepared to spend any amount when a tree disappeared that I didn’t know national search, Bill chose me to be the of his own time and no small amount of needed removing or when his exuberant permanent director. Thus began a 20-year his own resources to help us succeed. Bill close working relationship that saw very exploits with Kathy, the observatory’s and Kitty transformed the social life of substantial growth in the size of the staff backhoe, scared the hell out of me. No the Observatory and in the process built (and budget!); major new facilities on the doubt (or at least I hope) I gave him an valuable relationships with the Flagstaff Lowell campus, at Anderson Mesa, and equal number of spells of elevated blood community, members of the advisory at Happy Jack; and, I dare say, significant pressure. But, overall, Bill and I made a board, and others who ultimately were enhancement of the observatory’s scientific good team, I think. We always knew we helpful to the Observatory. reputation. were working for the same goal — a stronger Lest you think all was sweetness and As my boss, Bill was steadfast in and ever better Lowell Observatory. light in my relationship with Mr. Putnam, his support. I remember him telling me early in my tenure as director that if I ever needed to, I could hide behind him. He meant, of course, if I had to make a There are so many reasons to honor Bill and to thank him. particularly unpopular decision at some Not only for his stewardship of the observatory – a source point, I could attribute it to him in order of important research and civic participation – but also not to harm my own standing with the for his commitment to learning, his appreciation of the staff. (I never chose to do that, but it was comforting to know he was prepared to great outdoors, and especially his service to our country. run interference.) Bill also was frequently As ’s only member of the House Veterans’ Affairs embarrassingly effusive in his public praise Committee, I thank Bill for his brave leadership during World of me. I once told him that as long as he War II, where he was a decorated officer in the 10th Mountain kept believing those things and I didn’t Division and led the first Allied unit into a critical region of start, we would get along fine! Secondly, Bill was an enabler. He northern Italy. Over the years, Bill’s selfless actions have made was fully prepared to spend money from a difference in the lives of countless others. the Lowell endowment and to take chances - Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick to get us where we wanted to go as an institution. Invest and take chances we did. 4 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition

(Left) Bill’s trusty Siberian Husky, Lena. (Right) Bill and Kitty in front of the Discovery Channel Telescope’s primary mirror at U of A’s mirror lab. continued from page 1 As examples of Bill’s contributions technologically advanced instruments than Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, to the observatory, we need only look at we had, Bill listened. By 2004, plans were establishing himself as a distinguished the fundamental nature of the institution. being drawn up and, thanks to a partnership American climber. He served as president of Lowell Observatory is a unique fusion of with the Discovery Channel, the project the American Alpine Club and vice president current cutting edge research, past cutting moved ahead. In 2013, the Discovery and councilmember of the International edge research (which we put into the category Channel Telescope, the fifth largest telescope Mountaineering and Climbing Federation of “history”; if you keep doing something in the continental U.S., saw first light. long enough you build a strong legacy) and (UIAA). He also was the U.S. delegate to the The third major component of the outreach. During Bill’s 2½-decade stretch as UIAA for 30 years. In 2002, an alpine hut in observatory, history, had always been of trustee, he addressed each of these areas and the Selkirk Mountains was renamed the Bill interest to Bill. He has written several books ensured future success in each by promoting Putnam Hut in his honor. about Lowell’s history and took his role as Always with an opinion or thought, capital improvements. family steward very seriously. In one of his Bill took up writing years ago and has The first of these came soon after Bill final significant acts as trustee, he guaranteed authored books about topics as diverse as took over as trustee with his decision that the construction of a new collection center mountain climbing, Lowell Observatory the observatory should make itself better that will properly house the observatory’s history, his wartime adventures, his known to the general public and expand its recollections of the early days of WWLP, outreach efforts. Since the days of Percival rich array of archives and artifacts, including railroads, merchant ships of World War I, Lowell, the observatory held an open stance manuscripts, letters, books, instruments, and freedom of the press. toward visitation, offering tours and telescope and some 32,000 photographic glass plates. From decorated soldier to viewing to interested parties. However, these This new facility will be completed soon and groundbreaking broadcaster to fearless efforts were on a very small scale, reaching dedicated in June 2014. mountain climber, Bill lived the equivalent of hundreds to thousands of visitors per year. While Bill focused on the betterment several lives during his first sixty years. But he Bill realized that with a new visitor center, of the observatory, he also believed that wasn’t done… the observatory could vastly increase its the observatory should always be an active visitorship and general public awareness. As member of the local community. He thus a result, the Steele Visitor Center was opened contributed both time and money to local The Lowell Years in 1994 and visitation now reaches 75,000 to causes, including the Flagstaff Symphony After retiring from broadcasting, Bill 85,000 per year. Orchestra, United Way of Northern Arizona, Putnam, man of action, was not about to sit Bill’s most important contribution to around during the twilight of life. He soon the observatory was his leadership in securing and the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Because assumed a new challenge, one that he took the new research telescope that would help of his long record of philanthropy in the very seriously and into which he put all of his keep Lowell at the forefront of community, he was honored with the Viola energy and resources. His brother Michael research. When then-director Bob Millis and Legacy Award in 2013, given annually to a was ready to step down as trustee of Lowell others pointed out in the early 1990s that citizen for a lifetime of contributions to the Observatory and Bill gladly jumped into the Lowell was falling behind other arts and/or sciences in the Flagstaff area. position, one that he would hold for 26 years. that were building larger and much more THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition 5

Kitty Putnam 1916 - 2014 by Kevin Schindler

Kitty Putnam — Grand Dame of Mars Hill, gracious friend to all who knew her, hostess extraordinaire, and loving wife of Bill — passed away on January 5th at the age of 97. In this special issue of the Observer dedicated to Bill Putnam, we also pay tribute to his partner in business and life, Kathryn (“Kitty”) Elizabeth Putnam. Kitty was born in Pittsburgh on Kitty was an astute business February 5, 1916 to Francis and Florence woman, gracious hostess, and (Morgan) Flynn. After attending Carnegie generous supporter of community Mellon College and the University of activities. During her three- Pittsburgh, she married Paul Weidner and in decade-long TV career (top right), she was a welcome face 1942 moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. in people’s living rooms. Years She enjoyed a modeling career and later, faithful watchers would stop participated in several amateur plays before her on the street and reminisce marrying Paul Broman in 1952 and landing about her shows. Eventually, Kitty a job as secretary/receptionist at the Greater and Bill (bottom left) served as the first family of Mars Hill, hosting Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Here she various banquets, fundraisers, and would meet the Chamber’s manager of the celebrations for staff members Merchant’s Bureau, Bill Putnam. and the community at large. Even Bill soon left the Chamber to launch as Kitty advanced well into her a new TV station and Kitty joined him to nineties (top left), she remained a help get the project off the ground. The vivacious spirit and consummate hostess, always quick to tell a FCC awarded a license in 1952 and the story, refill an empty dinner plate, programming on WWLP, Channel 22 — the or scold Bill because of some first licensed UHF television station in the nefarious act by Lena, Bill’s faithful United States — aired the following year. Kitty dog and unofficial mascot of initially carried out clerical duties but, one Lowell Observatory. day when the hostess of the daytime lifestyle coverage of annual local events, including Springfield Public Forum, general chairman program didn’t show up for work, Kitty the Holyoke Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, of the Tip-Off Classic, trustee of Bay Path temporarily stepped in to host the show; she the Eastern States Exposition (the Big E), College, and trustee of Springfield Technical would go on to hold this position for three Storrowton Theater, and her own annual Community College. She was also a recipient decades. luncheon to raise funds for local non-profit of the William Pynchon Award from the During the years spanning 1953 to services, notably the Western Massachusetts Springfield Advertising Club. 1984, Kitty Broman became a household Mental Health Association. In 1999, Kitty married her longtime name and local legend in western She was a genuine trailblazer for business partner Bill and together they served Massachusetts while hosting “At Home women in radio and television. Her many as the first family of Mars Hill, hosting annual with Kitty” and later, “Kitty Today”. She accomplishments included being the first Lobsterfest parties and board dinners, as well interviewed thousands of local politicians, business people, school groups, sports woman elected to the television board of as tea socials for Lowell Observatory staff personalities, chefs, fashion designers, the National Association of Broadcasters and events for local groups such as United authors, and visiting celebrities. Guests on and president of the Springfield Television Way of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff her show over the years included Senator Corporation. She won the McCall’s “Golden Symphony Orchestra. Edward Kennedy, conductor Arthur Fiedler, Mike” award for special programming and Though Kitty stood just five feet tall, singer Robert Goulet, Massachusetts served as president of the New England she was a giant in all other aspects of life Governors Volpe, Sargent, Peabody, Dukakis Chapter of the American Women in Radio and got the most out of her 97-plus years, and King, and painter Norman Rockwell. and Television. entertaining generations of TV viewers, In later years, Kitty often told the story of Well-known in western Massachusetts leading the charge on countless social and interviewing a young and very soft-spoken for her support of local social service philanthropic efforts, inspiring businesswomen Jacqueline Kennedy in the mid-1950s. organizations, Kitty served as president of of her own and later generations, and raising Kitty was also known for television the Carew Hill Girls Club, president of the four children along the way. 6 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition

The role of trustee The Putnam has traditionally been handed Family and Lowell down through the Lowell-Putnam Observatory family as outlined in ’s by Kevin Schindler will. After 26 years as the observatory’s trustee Bill retired The Putnam and Lowell families on his birthday in have been linked for generations, and October 2013, these close familial ties transcend into the handing over operations of Lowell Observatory. In the control to his son mid-1880s, the Augustus , Lowell Putnam. Bill and Lowell are including eldest son Percival, retained pictured here at William Lowell Putnam II (1861-1924) Bill’s retirement to manage a large segment of the family’s party in front of financial concerns. Putnam, an 1882 Percival Lowell’s graduate of Harvard, was a lawyer, banker, portrait in the Rotunda Museum. and Percival’s third cousin. He was a fifth- Lowell Putnam is generation descendant of Colonel David the observatory’s Putnam, brother of American Revolution fifth trustee since hero General Israel Putnam. Percival’s death. In 1888, William married Percival’s stipulating, among other things, his as trustee in place of Amory. sister Elizabeth while continuing to vision for the future management of the Largely due to the aggressive efforts handle many of the family’s business observatory. He formally recognized the of Percival’s widow Constance to take affairs. When Percival established his position of a single trustee, following the control of the observatory upon Percival’s observatory in 1894, he retained Putnam example of the , founded in death in 1916 — an effort that would to manage related legal matters. From 1897 1839 by Percival’s great uncle , Jr. drag on for 10 years and compromise the to 1901, Percival took a leave of absence financial stability of the organization — from his astronomical pursuits due to “...all the rest and residue of my property nervous exhaustion. Putnam stepped in neither Amory nor Putnam would become I give to my brother-in-law, William Lowell the observatory’s first trustee. Instead, to handle large-scale business decisions of Putnam, to be held subject to the provisions the observatory, leaving the management Percival’s third cousin, (1870- hereinafter made for my wife, in trust for the 1927) took on the role. of day-to-day operations in the hands of Lowell Observatory. Ten percent of the net director pro tem Andrew Douglass. Guy attended Harvard and MIT and income shall be added yearly to the principal, In 1913, Lowell executed his will, later graduated from the Ecole des Beaux- and the balance of the net income shall be used Arts at Paris, studying architecture. In 1898 for carrying on the study of Astronomy, and he married Henrietta Sargent, daughter Bill’s contributions to Lowell especially the study of the Solar System and its of botanist , first Observatory were of great evolution… director of Harvard’s Arnold significance to Lowell’s The trustee shall also have full control (Percival was an amateur botanist and sent of the management of the trust and shall have many specimens of plants from Arizona to success and to Arizona’s power to appoint, select and discharge the preeminent place in Sargent, one of which was a new species of director and all other employees and agents of ash tree that Sargent named Fraxinus lowellii astronomical research and the Observatory… in Percival’s honor. One of these trees lives education. Arizona would Each trustee shall appoint his own today between Percival’s mausoleum and not be the same without successor... the Clark Telescope dome on Mars Hill). Lowell and Lowell likely In selecting a successor, I hope that Guy became a well-known architect preference will be given to a male descendant of would not exist without Bill. who designed such facilities as the my immediate family if a suitable one exists.” Quadrangle of Radcliffe College, - Janet Napolitano, President In a modification made only a Museum of Fine Arts, the New York State of the University of California week after he executed the will, Lowell Supreme Court building and the Slipher System, Former US Secretary of designated his third cousin and college Building at Lowell Observatory. State, and Governor of Arizona friend, Harcourt Amory, Jr., to replace Constance originally encouraged William Lowell Putnam II as trustee. Guy to become trustee because she Several months later, a codicil designated thought she could dominate him, but he Percival’s eldest nephew, George Putnam, proved to be a worthy adversary. In fact, THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Special Bill Putnam Edition 7

24-inch Morgan reflector, and 20- inch Morgan refractor used for moon mapping. The observatory also successfully campaigned for Flagstaff’s first lighting ordinance and established the dark sky research facility at Anderson Mesa. Lowell also supported the American space program by hosting a major moon-mapping effort and building the Planetary Research Center. The observatory, under Roger’s direction, began securing research funds from government and other outside sources, helping to reinvigorate research programs that had in many cases grown stagnant due to limited funds. (Left) Roger Lowell Putnam, former As Roger lived into his seventh trustee and father of Bill Putnam. decade, he decided the time had come to (Above) Michael C.J. Putnam, former turn the reins over to his youngest child, trustee and younger brother of Bill. Michael. In 1967, Michael Courtney Between them they oversaw the Jenkins Putnam (1933-) took over as third observatory for a combined 60 years. trustee of the observatory. Michael earned Guy spent most of his time as trustee doctoral degrees for her contributions to his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1959 and, wrapped up in the decade-long fight with social issues. The couple had six children, after teaching at Smith College for a year, Constance for control of the observatory. including future observatory trustees moved to . A classicist specializing in Latin literature, Michael During this time, Guy tried to maintain Michael and Bill. was a professor of classics and literature for some semblance of normal scientific During his tenure as trustee, Roger nearly five decades, retiring in 2008. pursuits for the observatory and had the also served as the mayor of Springfield, Michael served as trustee of Lowell idea of recommencing Percival’s search Massachusetts and earned political from 1967 until 1987, overseeing operations for a trans-Neptunian . In 1925, appointments as deputy director of the during a period of unprecedented funding he purchased (with his own funds) three Office of Contract Settlement under for research thanks to the space race. He unfinished pieces of glass from the estate Franklin Roosevelt and director of the came on board as the country escalated Economic Stabilization Administration of optical craftsman Reverend Joel Metcalf exploration of the moon and solar system of Massachusetts. This glass would later under Harry Truman. In his successful beyond, efforts that included contributions be used to build the 13-inch photographic business, Roger served as president and from most Lowell astronomers and often triplet instrument that later chairman of the board of the Package took advantage of the observations made used to discover . Machinery Company and helped son Bill with unmanned spacecraft such as Mariner, Guy’s tenure as trustee ended establish TV station WWLP in 1952. Viking, Pioneer, and Voyager. During abruptly with his untimely death from a The list of Roger’s contributions to Michael’s tenure, Lowell also established stroke in 1927. Seven years earlier, in a the success and growth of the observatory is itself as a leader in occultation studies, codicil to his will, Guy had designated Roger impressive. After clearing up the remnants with Lowell scientists serving on teams that Lowell Putnam (1893-1972), second son of of the decade-old struggle for control of famously discovered the rings of and William Lowell Putnam II and nephew of the observatory between Constance and . Percival Lowell, as the next trustee. Roger Guy, he worked with Lowell staff to push In 1987, Michael turned the reins took to the role quickly and would serve as forth with a new search for Percival’s of the Observatory over to his younger trustee for the next four decades. Planet X. By securing funds from his brother Bill, who had retired from his graduated magna uncle (and Percival’s younger brother) career in broadcasting. Bill served as trustee cum laude from Harvard in 1916 with a Lowell, Roger enabled until 2013 and his contributions are listed degree in mathematics (just like his Uncle the construction of the 13-inch telescope on page eight of this newsletter. Bill’s son, Percy had done exactly 40 years prior). that Clyde Tombaugh would later use to William Lowell Putnam IV (Lowell), now His studies in mechanical engineering discover Pluto. carries the baton, creating his own legacy at MIT were interrupted by the United During Roger’s tenure, the and continuing the Putnam clan’s long States’ entry into World War I. After observatory acquired several other tradition of leadership at Uncle Percy’s serving in the Navy during the war, he important research instruments, including observatory. married Caroline Jenkins, a social activist the 69-inch (later converted to 72-inch) who would go on to earn 12 honorary Perkins Telescope, 42-inch Hall Telescope, Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Flagstaff, AZ Permit No. 170 SCAN TO GO TO GO TO SCAN TO lowell.edu Issue 99 Special Bill Putnam Edition Issue 99 Special Eco-friendly printing by Eco-friendly EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE EXPANDING Design by Sarah Conant ELL For comments about the newsletter, contact comments about the newsletter, For The Lowell Observer is published quarterly by Observer The Lowell SCAN TO GO TO GO TO SCAN TO our Facebook page 928.233.3210 • www.lowell.edu • Find us on Facebook • Find 928.233.3210 • www.lowell.edu Communication Manager Kevin Schindler, [email protected] Schindler, Communication Manager Kevin fsc logo Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, 1400 W. Observatory, Lowell Contents Copyright 2014 by Lowell Observatory ISSN 1054-0059 Contents Copyright 2014 by Lowell

Highlights of Bill’s Tenure as Trustee Tenure Highlights of Bill’s Advisory Board established. This board consists of Advisory Board established. business people, and distinguished astronomers, help guide the operations of the other advisors who observatory. established. membership program Friends established, highlighted Modern visitor program by construction of 6500-square-foot Steele Visitor Center. to as large as 20. Scientific staff size increased, growing skies ordinances enhanced and Flagstaff dark Local Bill International Dark Sky City. recognized as First donations contributed both leadership and personal to this effort. the fifth largest The Discovery Channel Telescope, is envisioned, telescope in the continental U.S., now being designed, funded, constructed, and and our partner operated by scientists at Lowell institutions. This was a $53 million project. Optical Interferometer envisioned, Navy Precision operated, funded, constructed, and now being with the U.S. made possible by new partnerships Laboratory. Naval Observatory and Naval Research funded, with New archive building envisioned and ground breaking in 2013. beautified with stone walls, grounds Lowell’s gardens, and educational walkways. Observatory visited by approximately 1.5 million guests. Significantly expanded financial resources of through both astute management of observatory, the observatory’s endowment and procurement of previously limited private sector donations. Served as sole trustee for 26 years, second longest Served as sole trustee father (40 years). tenure behind his

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