WVAC Legacy is to recognize those members of the club who are no longer with us and served as officers or volunteered their time in the operation of the club. This page is new to our website, WVAC was started in 1990 so we’re sure there are people not listed here that should be. If you have information on past members or additional information please contact us clicking here.
James Chrisman: August 21st 1937 – February 18th 2018 (aged 80)
He was a veteran of the U.S Navy who served on active duty during the Cuban missile crisis.
Jim was a successful businessman and lifetime member of Kiwanis International. He enjoyed astronomy as an avid observer and teacher and was the founder and long-time president of the Astronomy Club of Sun City West before it became the West Valley Astronomy Club.
Walter Schmitt
Walter served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Star Party Coordinator. Walter was born on 10/06/1925 and served as a military guard for the German Army during WWII. While on guard duty at night Walter study the night sky. Walter traveled the world and was quit active up unto his passing in 2021 at the age of 96. Walter was always fun to be with.
John Lesly Cline December 21, 1938 – January 15 2023
John was felled by a stroke at his winter home in Surprise, AZ. Two weeks earlier he had returned to Seattle to oversee brother Evan’s trip for eye surgery. He will be missed awfully by discussion adversaries and sessions on people, politics and friends. John was the president & Vice-President of the West Valley Astronomy Club for over 25 years and enjoyed the night skies and attended as many star parties as he could. He earned a first-class HAM radio license at age 15. He worked with test equipment and training sessions at Boeing for over 20 years.
Allen Edwards
Allen was a member of WVAC for many years with an outstanding attendance record at our general meeting. Allen was best know for his wonderful smile and positivity. On February 5th 2019 Allen was the featured speaker on “Celestial (Stellar) Navigation” Allen spoke on the continuing use of stellar navigation as applied to Space Navigation – A variation on terrestrial celestial navigation was used to help orient the Apollo spacecraft en route to and from the Moon. To this day, space missions such as the Mars Exploration Rover use star trackers to determine the attitude of the spacecraft. Allen presented an INS unit and Sextant for show and tell experience. Allen had a BSEE degree from Univ. of Illinois and a MBA from the Univ. of Phoenix. He was president of the StellarNav LLC. Allen will be greatly missed.
Michael Weinberg
Michael Weinberg was born October 15, 1946 in Philadelphia PA and died April 20, 2026 in Sun City, AZ in our home. He lived a life marked by wisdom, thoughtfulness and faith. He loved astronomy. He so enjoyed just being outside with his telescope until early morning finding the galaxies, stars and seeing the Milky Way. He would talk about light years to everyone. He loved reading the Astronomy magazine and learning about our amazing night sky. He had a way of making others feel heard and valued, and his thoughtful nature left a lasting impression on family, friends and colleagues. He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and kindness that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
