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Douglas Arthur Gegen
1949 - 2016
Douglas Arthur Gegen
1949 - 2016
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Douglas Gegen Obituary
Douglas Arthur Gegen, 67, of Greenville, passed away November 15, 2016.
Born in Miami, FL he was the son of the late Robert and Jean Gegen. Doug graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Physics.
He began his career at the Miami Space Transit Planetarium; from there he ventured to the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory at Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky. In 1986 he read an article about a 23 inch Alvan Clark Refractor Telescope that was going to be restored in Greenville, SC. Upon hire he became the Staff Astronomer at Roper Mountain Science Center at the Daniel Observatory until his retirement in 2011.
Doug was the founder of Roper Mountain Astronomers, an amateur astronomy club at the Science Center. He was a member of the International Antique Telescope Society.
Surviving is the love of his life for 30 years Cynthia Childers. His extended family includes Randy and Karen Childers; Lauren Nulph and Emily and Eric Pitt; he was “Uncle Doug” to Max, Brandon and Natalie Nulph and Ethan and Emma Kate Pitt. Additional survivors are his aunts Elizabeth Armitage and Marilyn Hodgson; cousins Danielle Chapman, Denise Johnsen, Bob Hodgson and Bill Hodgson; and “2nd cousin” Valerie Levandar.
A special thank you is extended to Scott Smith for being our Angel on Earth for the past 18 months.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:00am at The Mackey Mortuary. Visitation will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Doug’s name to the Roper Mountain Astronomers, PO Box 25665, Greenville, SC 29616-0665; or Compassus Hospice, 1923 E. Main St., Suite B, Duncan, SC 29334.
The Mackey Mortuary. Online guest registry available at www.mackeymortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Steven B. Rigdon
November 21, 2016
Bart Fried
November 20, 2016
Dear Cindy,
On behalf of the membership of the Antique Telescope Society, I offer our sincere condolence to you and your family. You know that Doug was a great friend and Charter member of the ATS and of course, our host and liaison during our 2007 convention, which I'm sure you also remember.
Doug was a genial and affable friend whom I enjoyed stopping to see whenever I was in the area on business and we had some good evenings at the eyepiece of the Clark and his Cooke. I was sorry to hear that he was ill and now sadder still that he's gone, but the memory of Doug will always bring a smile to the members of the Antique Telescope Society.
Mike and Patti Parker
November 18, 2016
Dear Cindy,
We are thinking of you and your family in this time of grief. We will always remember the interesting conversations over lunch and the wonderful times in the observatory. We will all miss him greatly. Love you.
jane hastings
November 18, 2016
from a fellow planetarian..good memories of the early years in miami and golden pond...jane geoghegan hastings
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George Fleenor
November 18, 2016
So sorry to hear of Doug's passing. He will always be remembered for his kindness, his dedication, and his love of the universe. He will be missed.
Fellow Planetarian
Tonya LeBrun
November 18, 2016
My heart breaks for you all. Doug was amazing. I worked with him in the Planetarium and he always had a good joke to tell. He will be missed greatly.
Mary and Randy McWhorter
November 18, 2016
I worked with Doug in bringing "Come Along with Me and C.A. David" to life on the planetarium screen at Roper Mountain in 2000. He spoke to me many times about his love of the planetarium and his adoration for the solar system. Doug had a delightful sense of humor and was a joy to work with on the project. His working knowledge of media displays in the auditorium was amazing. We are sorry to learn of Doug's passing and will keep you in our prayers. Doug was a fine man!
November 18, 2016
Cindy,
Thinking of and missing you . He will be missed ,just know that he was always looking to the heavens and now he is looking down to you. Luv Ya, Chuck & Judy Head
chuck head
November 18, 2016
2 happy people
chuck head
November 18, 2016
chuck head
November 18, 2016
Mija Hood
November 18, 2016
Cindy,
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Remember all the wonderful memories the two of you shared over the years. Keeping you in our prayers.
Doug and Cindy, about 2006
Linda Pendergrass
November 18, 2016
Cindy--I know you'll have a big empty spot in your heart for a long time. Hold on to all those great memories you made in Doug's better days and let your family and friends embrace you in your grief. We love you!
Dani Chapman
November 18, 2016
The most wonderful cousin and a great pal, shared so much family fun together. I will miss him so...Cindy you are truly an angel, love you like a little sister...sending love & prayers your way.
Linda DuBose
November 17, 2016
Dear Cindy, I am so sorry to learn of Doug's passing, know you loved him very much. I still remember the day he was hired. We had many wonderful times together, Doug was always so much fun and just a pleasure to work with...a dear friend. Please know that you are in mine and Charles' prayers . We Love You
Linda Price
November 17, 2016
Such a dear man, such a brilliant mind. Gone too soon.
November 17, 2016
So sad to hear about Doug. He was a wonderful person and never met a stranger. I enjoyed working with Doug over the years at Roper Mountain. Cindy, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Diane Alexander
Gayle & Joyce Riggsbee
November 17, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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