Michael with his wife Cheryl

Michael Ledlow, staff astronomer at Gemini South, died suddenly in Colorado Springs, CO, on Saturday June 5th, 2004. He had just attended the Gemini Science 2004 Conference in Vancouver and was on vacation with his family in Colorado.

Michael was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on October 1, 1964. He obtained his bachelor's degree in astrophysics at the University of Oklahoma in 1987, and attended the University of New Mexico for his graduate work. He obtained his Ph.D. under Frazer Owen in 1994. Mike was a postdoctoral fellow at New Mexico State University from 1994 to 1997 working with Jack Burns on X-ray, optical, and radio observations of galaxy clusters. Michael came to Gemini in June 2000 as a Gemini Science Fellow and was promoted to a tenure-track astronomy position in 2001. He led an active life as a Gemini astronomer, supporting both the community and his research career studying distant galaxies and galaxy clusters.

Michael's untimely death is a tragic loss for his family, the Gemini Observatory, and the astronomical community. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Cheryl; five daughters Alexandria, Abigail, Misty Goforth of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; Memoree Sanchez and her husband Dominic of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; and Mandy Goforth of Euless, Texas; his parents Jerry and Sharon Ledlow of Edmond; a sister, Lisa Gay Gilmore and her husband John of Edmond; three grandchildren, Lawrence Sanchez, Amber Garcia, and Ramone Garcia. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 11, at 11:00 AM CDT, Church of the Servant, in Oklahoma City with interment in Norman, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent in care of the Primrose Funeral Home, 1109 N Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071, by phone at 405-321-6000, or fax: 405-321-6751, or via e-mail to brodgers@gemini.edu.

Do not stand by my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow: I am the sunlight
on ripened grain, I am the cool autumn rain.

When you awaken with morning's hush, I am the swift,
uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flights.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

So, do not stand by my grave and cry,
for there only my body lies. Instead feel the
light from above and know that I can feel your love.

Memorial Service Information La Serena, Chile Church Service in Chile at noon (Chile), Friday June 11 Lourdes Church Balmaceda 1596 (Balmaceda con Huanhuali) La Serena Phone number : 21 18 33     Oklahoma, USA Church Service in USA at 11am Central Daylight Time, Friday June 11 The Church of the Servant 14343 N Macarthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9600 Phone number : 405-721-4141 Location details     Funeral Service Information Funeral home where floral tributes should be sent Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma, OK 73071 Phone number : 405-321 6000 Location details     Local florists Details of local florists in Norman