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Ed Stone from 2014, courtesy of Michael Bolte.

TIO remembers Ed Stone

“Ed Stone was a legend,” says Robert P. Kirshner, TIO’s executive director.  

Edward C. Stone, the founding executive director of TIO, recently passed away at the age of 88 years old. He was “a rare personality of extraordinary humility and ability to hold people together for a common cause,” said B. Eswar Reddy, the programme director, India TMT Coordination Center. 

Ed’s 60 years at Caltech included leading numerous space missions, serving in distinguished leadership roles, and paving the way for the next generation of giant telescopes. Ed became involved in the TMT project at its beginning. He joined the TMT Corporation in 2004, and became the founding executive director of the TMT International Observatory LLC in 2014, a role he remained in until 2022.

 "Ed was a leader in the development of ground based astronomy facilities" said B. Thomas Soifer, Caltech Harold Brown Professor of Physics, Emeritus, of Ed Stone’s leadership in astronomy. "He has left an indelible mark on astronomy."

“In the early days of the TMT, Ed was the one who brought experience in overseeing and guiding $1B+ projects." said Michael Bolte, a TIO Board member. “He was a master of thinking ahead; always planning what would be needed at the next junction. Ed's integrity did much to help bring the partnership together and keep it moving efficiently forward: everyone trusted him to do the right thing for the project."

Robert Kirshner, the TIO’s current executive director says, “We are inspired by our memories of Ed to finish what he started at TIO.”