In loving memory of Petar Andonov Goulev (Петър Гулев) who sadly passed away on 8th January 2020. Petar was born in Bulgaria where he spent his childhood, teens and twenties before settling in the UK where he studied at the University of Buckingham and Imperial College, London (PhD in Electrical Engineering). He worked as an academic at the London College of Fashion and the Open University as well as an IT consultant. He was a passionate astronomer; a member of the Bulgarian Astronomical Association, the Norman Lockyer Observatory and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Petar developed a brain tumour five years ago but made the most of life during that time, playing bridge and pottering on his allotment, as well as travelling to Russia and back to his home country of Bulgaria many times. Petar was a fantastic husband, father, son and friend- there are so many people around the world who will miss him.
Oh dear! I have only recently heard of Petar's passing. Shocking news.
My son, Andrew, and I knew Petar through membership of the Norman Lockyer Observatory. His occasional Friday Astronomical evening lectures were always interesting, as an alternative to the usual NASA narrative. Our condolences to Petar's family. You can be sure he will not be forgotten.
My memories of Petar are as a lovely, gentle, good natured man at the bridge club. He was an excellent player and unfailing good natured. He was always helpful and obliging. When I worked in the club office and had an IT nightmare he came to the club to try and sort it all out - straight from the airport and again the next day to help the engineer. I did not know Petar as well as others here in addition to being such a lovely person, he was clearly a very talented man. Please accept my condolences.
Dear Angela, apologies I didn't see this message sooner, thank you so much for posting and your donation, Petar did love to play at the bridge club, it was something he restarted later in his life when he wasn't able to go to astronomy any more, and he loved both the game and the friendly people that he met. Thanks again, Hannah
I met Petar through playing bridge. I suspect that as far as Petar was concerned, my main qualification for being his partner was my willingness to drive him to the clubs. From my point of view, I acquired an experienced partner who was willing to teach me how the game worked and was prepared to shrug off my poor bidding and excruciating card-play with a wry smile. We rarely challenged the top half (or even the third quartile) of the scoreboard, but we had a lot of fun and became friends. At the bridge-table Petar was unfailingly polite, charming and kind. His courage in the face of a devastating illness was widely appreciated.
I never knew Petar as a well person, so it was particularly moving to see pictures of him as a fit and good-looking man. As Petar gradually revealed his life-story during our car journeys I was astonished at the breadth of his achievements. Sometimes, I confess, I wondered whether his tumour had distorted his memory, but it became apparent that he really did speak 5 languages, had been Bulgaria’s answer to Brian Cox, had written children’s stories in French and had written at least some of the software for the self-parking program on Renault cars. All of this (and much more) was revealed in a matter-of-fact way, as though it was of little consequence. Early in our friendship he gave me a book on Fuzzy Logic. In doing so he introduced me to a new way of thinking about the world, and that was perhaps his most enduring gift to me. I remember him with gratitude, respect and fondness.
Thanks for this lovely tribute, David, you were a great friend to Petar in those later years.
In memory of Petar, a dear friend and patient, forgiving bridge partner.
In memory of Petar. Lots of love and big hugs to Hannah, Lucia and Sophia.
In memory of Petar. Lots of love and big hugs to Hannah, Lucia and Sophia.
Thank you Maria, much appreciated.
I'll remember Petar like this - smiling and always positive, with great sense of humour and enormous repertoire of jokes, massively knowledgeable on many subjects, but most of all a great friend. He will be dearly missed. RIP.
Hi Nina, this is a beautiful photo, I guess this was on one of your many adventures around the UK! thank you. Hannah x
Petar will be sadly missed from all his classmates in Tehnikum Popov in Sofia .
I am posting this on behalf of Boriana Boncheva who has also written a wonderful article about Petar in Telescope magazine this month:
Peter was one of the founders of the Astronomical Association of Sofia in 1994. Since then, he has not only been a major engine in its activity, but also a generator of ideas for its development. Peter has initiated a variety of projects for the promotion of astronomy. In addition, with his help, the AAS used the Internet among the first institutions in Bulgaria in those years. He managed to supply computers for the Association, set up its site, attract new people, inspire followers. We will never forget Petre. It's impossible. A bow!
Petar was a wonderful man whom I met due to our membership of Norman Lockyer Observatory Society. Always smiling, cheerful and helpful, Petar was passionate both with his observing and support of the Society and was instrumental in further promoting the Society on the internet via Exeter University Norman Lockyer website, prior to the creation of the Society’s own website. Petar was also highly involved in conserving and collating the historic archives of the Observatory.
Remembered fondly as a family man, Petar often frequented the Observatory with his family during the daytime when working “out of hours” on Observatory business, such was his dedication. Such a “young” man will be sorely missed.
Thank you for your kind words, Petar loved coming to the NLO and being part of the community there.
Petar at Norman Lockyer Observatory commemorating Galileo.
What an amazing photo! I don't have any of this day, so thanks for sharing!
It was a privilege to have known Petar at the Observatory.
Thanks Karen.
Thank's to God for a meeting with Petar! Thank you for all lessons dear Pepi! You teached me how to contact with the space! You were very special teacher! I miss you so much! Hugs dear Hanna to you and
to your sweet daughters! Be strong!
Rest in peace, my friend! I am sure You are now near the stars in heaven.
Thanks German, what great friends (including driving Petar across Europe!)
To the memory of Petar
Thanks Natalia, your support for our family is greatly appreciated.
Halberstadt, Germany November 2016
This must have been in November, hence the moustache! Great photo, thank you Julia.
Peter was a great friend and a pure soul. He has tutored my son and passed to him his passion for science. We have spent many memorable moments and he will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace!
Boryana, you were a great friend in return to Petar. Thank you for that.
Sleep peacefully my dear Frend. You are always in my heart...
Thank you Julia.
Wishing you love and light during this dark time.
Thanks Dreolin, and also for being part of the 'meal train' of lovely dishes we have been eating, it's incredibly thoughtful.
I'll remember Petar like this - smiling and always positive, with great sense of humour and enormous repertoire of jokes, massively knowledgeable on many subjects, but most of all a great friend. He will be dearly missed. RIP.
Petar at Norman Lockyer Observatory commemorating Galileo.
Halberstadt, Germany November 2016
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