The Sutherland's Story

Stan and Dawn Sutherland retired to Flagstaff, Arizona via Cottonwood from their home in Wisconsin. Initially the Wisconsin's thought living in Cottonwood would be nice, but soon found the heat index a little too high for comfort. Northern Arizona has proved to be a place of solace for both Stan and Dawn and Stan's love of astronomy and Dawn's love of the arts. Stan was able to volunteer his time here at Lowell Observatory enjoying combining his love of teaching, and interacting with Astronomers. Dawn, still a farm girl at heart as well as an artist, wakes up every day at 10 minutes to 5 each morning and goes out to admire and sketch the wonders of the sky.

Stan and Dawn's parents aspired to live in Flagstaff but never got the chance to do so. Dawn's father was on his way to Flagstaff; when a stop in Chicago rerouted them back to Wisconsin. Despite their parents never making it to Flagstaff they now call it home. Fortunately for us here at Lowell Observatory, they are here and have a love for astronomy and the arts and want to share that love with others. Stan says he is a strong believer in founder Percival Lowell's philosophy of making astronomy accessible to all, which is what Stan did for several years as a teacher of Physics before becoming an attorney. Stan was inspired by a teacher, Jim Corrigan, who taught drama and his enthusiasm sparked Stan's interests and made him think 'I want to be like him'. In return for the 'spark' Jim provided Stan, Stan started the Jim Corrigan scholarship in remembrance of his friend, and just received a note from this year's scholarship recipient. "That's why I do it", Stan smiled to help someone be able to continue their education, "if it were not for scholarships I would not have been able to go to school because my parents would not have been able to send me" Stan stated.

Stan and Dawn have made arrangements to include Lowell Observatory in their estate plans in support of Percival's philosophy and as a way to continue Lowell's efforts to make astronomy accessible to everyone. After all, it was physics that saved Stan's life he recalls. Back in 1968 Stan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Illinois with a degree in Physics, and was offered a scholarship to graduate school. Stan received a 2A Deferment from the Army because at that time science education had been deemed a National Security Priority. Those with degrees in science were being sought after to continue teaching science. The deferment saved Stan from being drafted to Vietnam, "it saved my life".

If you would like to help continue Percival Lowell's philosophy of making astronomy accessible to everyone, or supporting Lowell's outreach programs, or the research of Lowell's Astronomers. Consider a 'gift' for Lowell Observatory in your estate plan, trust, IRA or charitable gift annuity like Stan and Dawn Sutherland. Their generous gift will help support another 100 years here at Lowell.