John Rostron, who passed away on 24 October aged 94, was a familiar sight at ASE meetings in the last century. He had been President, a Council member and a Trustee of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh Trust, although most long-standing members will probably remember him as Society Treasurer for many years. A chemistry teacher at Ross High School in Tranent, John’s interests were wide-ranging, particularly in relation to the natural world, which sometimes spilled over into his distinctive book-keeping for the Society! Although he had been a keen cyclist in his younger years often arriving at meetings in all weathers, sadly his declining health meant that he relinquished his membership in 2017. John’s grandfather, Arthur Rostron, was Captain of the RMS Carpathia and knighted for his pivotal role in rescuing survivors of the Titanic in 1912.

We send our condolences to his family and friends.

A service will be held at St Marks Episcopal Church, on Monday, November 14, at 11.15 am, thereafter to Seafield Crematorium, at 12 noon. (Here’s the announcement in The Scotsman).

Jim Nisbet