Robinson is survived by his second wife “Ollie,” son Leif, Jr., and daughter Kara. Leif’s legacy will always remain a part of who we are and what we do,” says S&T Senior Editor Alan MacRobert, who worked with Robinson for 18 years. “Today is a day of mourning at S&T, but we are also celebrating his life and contributions. Besides his career at S&T, Robinson was a world-class birdwatcher, and he authored the book Outdoor Optics. From 2001 to 2005 he served on the Board of Directors of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He wrote the popular “50 & 25 Years Ago” column for Sky & Telescope, and he continued to give talks to general audiences and amateur astronomers. But he remained active until the very end of his life. Robinson officially retired on December 31, 2000. “I could relate CCD cameras to the amateur and I could relate science to the amateur.” “I was one of the few people to walk in both communities with equal facility,” said Robinson. You may look through our free public telescopes or use our astronomical information to. Seeing the potential of rapidly evolving digital technology in the 1980s, Robinson lobbied professionals to take amateur observations seriously, an effort that has been amply rewarded with major amateur contributions in many different fields, from discovering asteroids, comets, and supernovae to hunting for and characterizing planets around other stars. Anyone can be an observer, and we are here to help. S&T’s tradition of promoting such partnerships continues to this day. Robinson held several editorial positions until 1980, when he was named S&T’s third Editor in Chief following the sudden death of Joseph Ashbrook.ĭuring his 38-year tenure on the editorial staff, Robinson became a champion of professional-amateur collaborations. But he decided to accept it after talking with S&T office staffer Caroline Nason, whom he would later marry. Robinson initially planned to reject his offer so he could complete his studies at UCLA. While visiting his grandparents in Connecticut in 1962, he received a telegram offering him a job at S&T.
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