THE LOWELL EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE OBSERVER The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Observatory 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 Mars 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 Telescope 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 United States. His Springfield Television Massachusetts 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 astronomy. 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 Wolff, 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, Lowell Observatory. 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.