Fred Espenak - Mr. Eclipse

[James Willinghan]

Just saw some extremely sad news for those in the club who may know of and even followed or purchased some of his eclipse guides, but Fred Espenak who is also know as “Mr. Eclipse” just posted the following to his social media. Fred has been a top eclipse chaser and educator and I just can’t believe I’m reading this! He will be deeply missed!

James

http://www.mreclipse.com/MrEclipse.html

 Dear Friends. 

I want to share some sad news.

I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) five years ago. I did not have any significant symptoms until last year. That changed dramatically in 2025 and my health has rapidly deteriorated. 

I have spent the last two weeks in a Phoenix hospital undergoing exhaustive testing to determine whether I am a candidate for a lung transplant. Unfortunately, my IPF has progressed too far for a transplant.

I expect to be placed into hospice care tomorrow and will probably be gone within a few days or less.

But I cannot complain. I have had a marvelous life of eclipses, astronomy, a NASA career, and my wonderful wife Pat, the greatest love of my life.

I wish those I leave behind many more years of clear eclipses and awe for the heavens.

Farewell to all of you,

Fred

Sent from my iPad

[James Tricoli]

Dear James,

This is incredibly sad news. I had two cousins die of an aggressive form of pulmonary fibrosis. They were brother and sister, and both died at the age of 44. This is a terrible disease that can progress suddenly and rapidly. I am so sorry to hear this news. Thanks for letting us know about this.

Jim

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[George Uhl]

This is very sad news. He will be missed.

-George Uhl

On Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM James Willinghan <jpwil...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[A Judd]

Very sad to hear this. He was a large part of preparing me the the 2024 glory of a total eclipse. He will be missed. A life well lived.

Aileen 

On Apr 16, 2025, at 12:34 PM, James Tricoli <jamestr...@gmail.com> wrote:



Dear James,

This is incredibly sad news. I had two cousins die of an aggressive form of pulmonary fibrosis. They were brother and sister, and both died at the age of 44. This is a terrible disease that can progress suddenly and rapidly. I am so sorry to hear this news. Thanks for letting us know about this.

Jim

On Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM James Willinghan <jpwil...@gmail.com> wrote:

Just saw some extremely sad news for those in the club who may know of and even followed or purchased some of his eclipse guides, but Fred Espenak who is also know as “Mr. Eclipse” just posted the following to his social media. Fred has been a top eclipse chaser and educator and I just can’t believe I’m reading this! He will be deeply missed!

James

Sent from my iPad

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/howardastro/CAH1oFzG5TGu79wA-YSGYmF0-0EL%3DJRc2Fr%3Dy3dnoo9ijeZ-q-w%40mail.gmail.com.

[David Glasser]

I’m very saddened to hear this. I caught eclipse fever from Fred Espenak. My wife and I traveled to experience the 2017 and 2024 total eclipses in large part due to the enthusiasm that comes through so clearly in his writings and interviews.

David