An Astronomy Legend

This is Al Nagler, a legend in astronomy.  I first met him at Stellafane, the telescope maker's convention in Vermont, back in 1991.  I entered a telescope in the competition and won second prize.  The next morning at breakfast he said "Congratulations.  Do you know how many years it took me to win a prize?"  Al put his lifelong love of amateur astronomy to work as a professional optical designer in 1958 when he was involved in designing NASA lunar landing simulators.  Al wanted his own observing equipment to deliver that seemingly limitless vista created for the astronauts. He started a company called Tele Vue and began making eyepieces for amateur astronomers.  They were the best eyepieces around and Tele Vue became famous.  Al has always continued his love for astronomy and education.  A mother and her young daughter came up to him at the convention and he was helping the young girl look through one of his telescopes and he was clearly enjoying the experience.