ALPO AWARDS
The A.L.P.O. offers two awards. The Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award and the Peggy Haas Service Award.
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The Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award
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The Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award is bestowed annually (generally when the ALPO meets in the summer), to an amateur astronomer for excellence in observational Solar System astronomy. This award is named after our founder and original executive director, and was established in 1985. The selection of this award is conducted by a committee convened by its committee chairman,Walter H. Haas. The composition of the committee changes from year to year so that the responsibility of selection is shared by a wider group of members in the ALPO that are well qualified, while allowing others that vote one year, to be considered for the award in another year, when not serving on the committee.
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This award is given for excellence in Solar System observational amateur astronomy. Work done as part of the observer’s job must be regarded as professional work and is not considered as an amateur effort for this award. However, a professional astronomer can be recognized for work done when he or she was an amateur. Theoretical research, the publishing of papers, astronomical correspondence, financial support of amateur projects, and many other meritorious astronomical activities must likewise be ignored in choosing the awardee (the ALPO does have another award, the Peggy Haas Service Award, which can recognize such outstanding services). The awardee need not be an active observer at the present time, nor does he or she need to be alive. Nor is this award for observations in any particular year or other time interval. Thus the Award in the present year might be for contributions in the 20th Century. There is absolutely no requirement that the awardee be a citizen or resident of the United States. It is enjoyable when the awardee can attend the ALPO Convention at which the presentation is to be made, but this matter is no criterion for the selection of the awardee. It is, however, required that the awardee well represent the ideals of the ALPO.
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The Award itself consists of an engraved plaque. The awardee also receives a two-year complimentary membership in the ALPO. The previous recipients are listed below in chronological order:
Trevor Barry | 2023 | Clyde Foster | 2022 | Theo Ramakers | 2021 |
Howard Esklidsen | 2020 | Julius Benton | 2019 | Marc Delcroix | 2018 |
Derald Nye | 2017 | Randy Tatum | 2016 | Anthony Wesley | 2015 |
Paul Maxson | 2014 | Brian D. Warner | 2013 | Daniel M. Troiani | 2012 |
John Boudreau | 2011 | Detlev Niechoy | 2010 | Thomas A. Cragg | 2009 |
Christopher Go | 2008 | Christophe Pellier | 2007 | William M. Dembowski | 2006 |
Richard Baum | 2005 | Damian Peach | 2004 | Mario Frassati | 2003 |
Richard W. Schmude, Jr. | 2002 | Frank J. Melillo | 2001 | Gordon W. Garcia | 2000 |
Richard E. Hill | 1999 | Alan W. Heath | 1998 | Isao Miyazaki | 1997 |
Thomas R. Cave | 1996 | Elmer Reese | 1995 | Don E. Machholz | 1994 |
Jose Olivarez | 1993 | Phillip W. Budine | 1992 | Alika Herring | 1991 |
Dr. Jean Dragesco | 1990 | Jeffrey D. Beish | 1989 | Dr. John E. Westfall | 1988 |
David Levy | 1987 | Dr. Donald C. Parker | 1986 | Charles (“Chick”) Capen | 1985 |
The Peggy Haas Service Award was established in 1997 to recognize members of the ALPO for outstanding service to our organization.
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The current ALPO executive director solely selects the recipient for this award, which can recognize any ALPO officer, board member, volunteer staff member, or nonstaff member who has contributed outstanding service to the organization in a capacity excluding observational skills; observational skills are recognized by the Walter H. Haas Award.
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The award was named for our founder’s late wife, Peggy (formally Beryl E.), in appreciation for her own support of the ALPO in many meaningful and indispensable ways, from assisting her husband, Walter, with the Journal, to creating a banner that hangs in front of the rostrum at ALPO paper sessions at our annual meetings. She was also the ALPO librarian for its book-lending service from 1966 to 1985.
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The Peggy Haas Service Award is not necessarily an annual award, but is presented when appropriate and not at any specific time interval. The award itself consists of an engraved plaque. The awardee also receives a lifetime membership in the ALPO.
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Past recipients the Peggy Haas Service Award are listed below in chronological order.
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Shawn Dilles | 2019 |
Timothy J. Robertson | 2018 |
Wayne Bailey | 2017 |
Jeffrey D. Beish | 2016 |
Dr. Donald C. Parker | 2015 |
Larry T. Owens | 2013 |
Richard W. Schmude, Jr. | 2012 |
Julius L. Benton, Jr. | 2011 |
Kenneth T. Poshedly | 2010 |
Richard E. Hill | 2005 |
Elizabeth W. Westfall | 2004 |
Matthew L. Will | 2003 |
Harry D. Jamieson | 2001 |
Don E. Machholz | 2000 |
Dr. John E. Westfall | 1998 |
Walter H. Haas | 1997 |
This award is presented to an individual for a significant contribution to popularizing astronomy, which may include lifetime achievement. It recognizes outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.
- The award does not need to be presented annually.
- Anyone within the ALPO can nominate an individual for the award.
- The final decision will be made by the ALPO Board of Directors.
- The award will consist of a plaque and a monetary award of up to $250
- Scott Roberts 2022
- Pranvera Hyseni 2020