From the Coronado site:
David Lunt, founder of Coronado, left this earth on Sunday , January 16th. following a 22 month battle with cancer. Although he had lived in the US for many years, David never lost his attachment to, and longing for, his native Wales. Born 12/31/1942 in Denbigh,North Wales, David was the son of professional opera singers. Both his parents died whilst he was still in his teens. Brilliant and complex, David took the SAT exam while still living in Wales and, with a perfect score, gained a full scholarship to Harvard. He dropped out before completing his degree in Astronomy in order to work and support his siblings. Fascinated with cosmology and physics, David spent his professional life in the field of optical design and innovation. Among other things he was a consultant on the Star Wars Program and developed the mirror used in the first orbiting Solar observatory. An outstanding scientist, his most recent work was to design Solar observing instruments for the amateur observer. Rick Fienberg, editor of Sky & Telescope magazine wrote : "David has left a legacy of having brought H-alpha solar observing to the masses. By enabling people to see the Sun as the dynamic star that it truly is, he has given countless people the gift of better understanding their place in the cosmos. I can think of no better, more lasting tribute than that."
And neither can those who loved him so much and are left now with memories. His wife and business partner, Gerry Hogan, sons Andy Lunt (Angie) of Sonoita, Benjamin Ilka (Annie Wallace), Nicholas Ilka, all of Tucson. Daughters Frances Jones(Phil), Victoria Lunt, Rebecca Roughly (Carl) of the U.K. and Lisa Ilka Abrams (Ted) of Tucson. There are 11 grandchildren all loved by David. He is also survived by true companion animals, Sam and Hamish. Our thanks go to Dr. Sheldon Marks and his wife Brenda , Jill and Frank Hinman and TMC Hospice and all who gave loving support during this battle. In particular, his wife and sons wish to thank the Coronado family for valuing David and his work and supporting them during David's illness. David was genuinely gratified by the excitement his work created and he took enormous pleasure in knowing that he had been able to make a significant contribution to science. Always modest, David shared the credit for his work with all at Coronado and avoided the spotlight for himself. In the last two months he worked on developing several new products so you can be sure that the excitement will continue.
David was fascinated by cosmology and was actively engaged in writing an alternative thesis to the Big Bang Theory. It is fitting then that this remarkable, decent, kind man left us on January 16th., a day in which two major Sunspots sent their energy earthwards....we don't doubt that he hitched a ride on that energy to further explore the cosmos.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a hospice group or humane society of your choice in David's name or to the Scholarship in Astronomy fund being set up in David's name at the University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico. For details on this contact gerry@coronadofilters.com
LX 200 GPS, Williams optics 80mm APO, Meade LPI, Canon 300D, Skymap pro, Lunar phase pro, Image plus, Exploradome.
  