[SJAAboard] Paul Barton: Rememberance and Acknowledgement

[Mark Wagner]

Dear Board, SJAA membership and bay area amateur astronomers...

I was deeply saddened to learn this week of the passing of Paul Barton, a man who to me was a
mentor and inspiration.

Paul was an SJAA board member during my early years with the club.  He always kept an even keel. 
He could be found at board meetings, listening, while doodling (yes, the meetings could be boring)
by designing circuits.  He was fun to watch and be around.

He had a shop that aside from being filled with astronomy do-dads, was replete with lapidary
equipment and jewelry, another of his passions.  It also had perhaps the best and most "to be
lusted after" collection of old calendars, with Polynesian women in alluring poses, that made you
want travel to the islands each time you'd visit his home!  Paul was in a very gentle way, a true
"guy's guy".

I first met Paul Barton at Fremont Peak in the early 90's.  I had found my way up to Coulter Row,
somehow.  My first trip to a "dark sky" site.  Paul was there with his JMI NGT, probably the most
unique telescope on the mountain, aside perhaps from the 30" Challenger.  He was writing down
names of SJAA members who were in attendance of the club's star party, which if I recall, he would
publish in a report in the SJAA Ephemeris.  It was this activity of Paul's that impressed on me
that reporting about star parties was a primary way to motivate others to come out and enjoy them.
To this day, when I write about a star party, it is Paul Barton who initially inspired the idea.
I have written a lot about star parties, and so it is time to thank Paul.  Thank you friend.

Paul was also a mentor in how he shared his enjoyment of amateur astronomy.  It was in the
quietest, yet more direct way.  At Fremont Peak, Paul could always be found sitting next to that
scope of his, in a chair next to his table, with a radio on, and an earpiece in one ear, listening
to his beloved San Francisco Giants.  The scope was free those nights the Giants were playing. 
With the most sincere smile, Paul would offer me, a true beginner, time to play with the JMI. 
What a treat.  It was my first experience using a large amateur telescope.  It undoubtedly led me
in the direction of buying my own, and sharing my enjoyment of the hobby the way this mentor
taught me, without "trying" to teach.  He taught me how to share amateur astronomy, resulting in
my participation as an SJAA member, on the SJAA Board, starting a community based astronomy group
(TAC), and large star parties run by and for the astronomy community. I owe him. We owe him. 
Thank you again, friend.

Lastly, Paul also was an amateur telescope maker, and ran the SJAA's loaner telescope program
before Mike Koop took the reins.  It was Paul who first "put hammer and screwdriver" to a
telescope in my presence.  It was a revelation.  I lost my beginner fear of "breaking" the thing,
and I started down the road, and a very enjoyable one, of becoming something of an amateur
telescope maker.  To this day, I enjoy it.  Paul opened my eyes.  As for his running the SJAA
loaner telescope program - he kept all the equipment at his own house (he had the space to do it),
and, kept the records which were the model of simplicity and friendliness in how it was
administered.  I borrowed several telescopes from the SJAA via Paul, before deciding based on
those experiences, what I wanted.  And to this day, I recognize he helped me make a great
decision.

I'm sure many people share my fond memories of Paul, and can tell similar stories about his
generosity and character.  But even in his passing, his influence, and memory are here, as he
undoubtedly has affected many individuals in this wonderful hobby.  I will think of Paul like
someone who tended a fine garden, enjoying watching it grow over the years.  He did a good job
caring for me, and the others in his garden.  I'll tend his garden now, and say "Thank you,
friend".

Clear skies... Paul

Mark