Dionysius "Dennis" Simopoulos

Dionysius (Dennis) Simopoulos, an expert on the cosmos, author, illustrator, show creator, commentator, LSU graduate, and former Baton Rouge resident, died August 7, 2022 at his home in Athens, Greece after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. Dennis came to the United States by ship in the early 1960s with the aim of attending LSU. He landed in New York and traveled by bus to Baton Rouge. He sought and found work to earn tuition and fees, since the trip exhausted his funds. He became well-known on campus, speaking often at "Free Speech Alley" and in formal debates. He was prominent in the LSU Union and married the Program Director, Karen Peterson. He ran for Student Body President in 1966, but finished second. He earned multiple degrees from LSU and became director of the Baton Rouge Planetarium. He left Baton Rouge to become the director of the Athens Planetarium, which he developed into a popular tourist attraction and educational center. He created stunning shows, mixing a study of the stars with Greek mythology. He became a sought-after commentator on the universe, space travel events, and telescopic discoveries. After retiring, he became a prolific author, mixing facts about space with amazing space photos and other illustrations. He continued as a lecturer and television commentator. His books and appearances made him well-known in Greece and his death has brought a multitude of accolades. Dennis died surrounded by family--Karen and the children, Eleni, Panos and Billy. Many others were there in spirit. LSU can be proud of its graduate, and so can Baton Rouge. His many friends in the United States will miss him greatly.