Richard Bochonko

Richard Bochonko passed away on Wednesday, August 27th after a 20 month battle with ALS. Richard was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1941 to Adam and Sophie Bochonko. He was a devoted husband, wonderful father and grandfather and a generous friend. Richard grew up in Winnipegs north end, literally. He lived in 15 different homes in 15 years. He was a proud north ender and graduated from St Johns High School in 1958. Dodging a future as a classical accordionist, Richard earned his BSc honours in Mathematics at the University of Manitoba. He went on to get a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Michigan, where he met Helen Hodgins, the love of his life. They were married in 1965. Richard and Helen moved back to Winnipeg in the fall of 1970, when Richard became a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of Manitoba. They welcomed their daughter, Coca, into the world on the first day of classes. Their son, Thor, followed 19 months later. Passionate about teaching and learning, Richard spearheaded the acquisition and installation of the 40 cm Evans telescope and construction of the Glenlea Observatory, providing critical hands on experience for his students. Richard was a Charter Member of the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA), the second secretary of the society, from 1977 to 1983 and served on the education committee. He was also very active with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). Both Richard and Helen were very involved in their childrens education, active on the board of the Suzuki music program and parents group at Sacre Coeur French immersion school. Music held a special place in Richards heart. He loved going to symphony concerts and was particularly interested in contemporary music, enjoying the Winnipeg Symphonys New Music Festival from its inception in 1991. Always interested in new things and old friends, Richard and his long-time friend, Don Auld, developed an enthusiasm for the statistical analysis required for handicapping thoroughbred horse racing and poker. A sabbatical in 1983/84 took them to Hawaii, where he worked at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. He became fascinated with the volcanoes of Hawaii, especially Kilauea, which began its current eruption the year the family was there. There have been many helicopter trips over the active lavas flow in the years since. Travel, in general, was of great interest to Richard and Helen. They spent much of their retirement going to visit friends and visiting new places as well as old favourites. Highlights included visiting their children in North Carolina and Minnesota, friends and family in Europe, a trip to New Zealand and eating and drinking their way around California, Okanagan, Italian and French wine country. Speaking of eating and drinking, Richard loved to do both. He was passionate about good food, good wine and good chocolate. Dark Chocolate. Richard is survived by his wife, Helen, their two children, Coca (Mark Springer) and Thor (Sona von Hunke), granddaughter Petra, brother Walter Brock (Joy), nieces and nephew. The family would like to thank Dr Derek Carroll, Dr Neil Cashman, Joan Derksen and Janet Dheere as well as all the wonderful people at the BC ALS society, the ALS clinic, VIHA, Victoria Hospice, Medichair and the Red Cross for easing his difficult journey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society of BC, Victoria Hospice or a charity of your choice. Richard loved talking with old friends and finding new friends everywhere he went. His enthusiasm for life touched everyone he met. He will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 23rd, 2014, in Victoria. Like a ring nebula - the remains of a sun-like star that runs out of fuel and blew off a giant smoke ring as its last gasp, seeding the cosmos with heavy elements that will one day turn into planets and life - again - each generation passes on to the next, and builds on the work of its predecessors. Scott Young