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The officers and at-large board members are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society. Most have been on the board for several years and are very dedicated to the KAS and the local community. If you have any questions about the KAS or need to contact a specific board member, please use our contact form. We were forced to remove their email addresses due to repeated phishing attempts.

President


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Richard Bell

As President, Richard serves as the official representative of the KAS and presides at all general and board meetings. He is a senior member of the board, having served in various positions since 1996, and he is the longest-serving president in KAS history. This year marks his 21st term as KAS President.

Richard is also the webmaster for KAS Online, editor-in-chief of our Prime Focus newsletter, program and membership coordinator, and chair of the Remote Telescope Committee. He is one of only three lifetime members of the KAS.

Vice President


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Jack Price

Jack joined the KAS after Comet Hyakutake's spectacular apparition in 1996 and instantly became one of our most active members. He has been on the board almost continuously since 2000. Apart from his role as Vice President, he also served as an at-large member and held four terms as President. He regularly volunteers for our outreach program.

In 2016, Jack retired from his full-time job as an electronic technician, installing and fixing antennas and two-way radios. He is a long-time leader with the Scouts and is also a member of several local amateur ham radio clubs (KA8AOB).

Treasurer


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Don Stilwell

Don joined the KAS in 2005 and served as an at-large board member from 2010 to 2019. He began serving as treasurer in 2020. Primarily a visual observer, it's no surprise that Don likes to support the KAS Public Observing Sessions at the Nature Center.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Don is a graduate of NC State University. Michigan has been home for nearly 30 years. Don has worked for Kellogg and Hayes-Albion Foundry. He was a Boy Scout leader, and now Kiwanis keeps him going.

Secretary/ALCOR


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Philip Wareham

In addition to being secretary, Philip serves as our Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCor). Contact him with any questions about A.L. observing clubs or benefits. Submit completed observing programs to him.

Philip is a longtime member of the KAS but did not becomea board member until 2024. While he is primarily interested in visual observing, particularly planetary observing, his interest in astrophotography is growing. He also very much enjoys keeping up with current technology in astronomy. Among his other interests are target shooting and hiking in the outdoors.

Members-At-Large


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Matt Borton

Matt gained interest in astronomy when Comet Hale–Bopp greeted us in 1997. The following year, he purchased a telescope and has been exploring astronomy ever since. Matt first joined the KAS in 2000 while completing his Eagle Scout project on Owl Observatory. The next year he served on the KAS board.

Matt attended KVCC and Ferris State University and earned degrees in design and engineering. When not focused on space, Matt spends his time renovating his house, spending time with his family, traveling, and constantly searching for the next astronomical event to capture.



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Scott Macfarlane

Scott joined the KAS in 2008 and has served as an at-large board member since 2011. He regularly volunteers at Public Observing Sessions and some community outreach activities.

Scott’s interests include computers, scouting, camping, and electronics. The State of Michigan employs him as a certified industrial hygienist and a certified safety professional. Scott is a graduate of Ferris State College.



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Pete Mumbower

Pete was a member of the KAS and served on the board during the 1990s, but he moved away and eventually returned to the Kalamazoo area in 2020, after a couple of decades away.

He has a passion for astrophotography, starting back in the 1990s with film and long, cold nights staring through a reticle. Nowadays, he captures images from his backyard observatory when the sky is clear. When the Sun is up, he can also be found training for marathons (42 km). Pete has been an IT professional for 20 years in the West Michigan area.



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Dave Woolf

Dave has been interested in astronomy from an early age, growing up under dark skies in rural Allegan County. He has been a member since 1999 and enjoys helping with KAS outreach programs, especially Public Observing Sessions. This is his sixth term on the board.

After retiring from teaching, Dave works as a medical courier and currently directs three community choral groups. He is mostly a visual observer and does some astrophotography from his observatory near Hickory Corners.


To learn more about the purpose, mission, and rules that govern the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society and the duties of the officers and at-large members, please view the following documents: