Betty Lundsted, Writing in Mercury Hour, 1/93 Issue:

"There are many of us who pay tribute to Charles Emerson. As founder of the National Council for Geocosmic Research, he brought hundreds of people together. He found me and introduced me to my good friend Nancy Hastings, and to Carole Winters (later Jones) who also was on the NCGR board for awhile.

"He had a knack for knowing that he could get people to work, to build this organization, to keep the study of astrology alive. He brought together such diverse people as Dr. Donald Wharton, and Charles Jayne, and Dr. Mario Jones, and Robert Hand, and Joanna Shannon and Doris Hebel. He united people from all over the United States. He kept working even when the organization tottered and almost folded.

"He and Dan Livingston put in untold hours before I first became involved with the education program in New York City. And I was not the person to be dealing with the education program as anyone who knows me will attest! But he saw the "workhorse" part of me--and even though wasn't into Uranian astrology, let me do my thing. He let everyone do is or her thing--and we all gained from the experience. We gained for ourselves, for our various careers, and we gained for the NCGR because it became what it is today.

"I think that Charles lived an important life, a life that had meaning and value for thousands of people. If it wasn't for him--with his irascible ways--lots of people would not have the chance to study the diverse astrological techniques made available because Charles kept his interests going. If each of us can live a life that offers so much to so many, we will all have reason to be very proud of ourselves.

"And lest we wax too maudlin about Charles--he was definitely human! It's not my place to discuss his foibles here--it's enough to say that he was a human being. I remember hours of driving with Charles with my heart in my mouth as he smoked his Robert Burns and turned around (while he was driving) to have eye contact with the people in the back seat. No accidents--someone or something up there took care of him, we all agreed on that. He fostered a lot of astrological car trips to various conventions in the '70s--trips full of fun and pathos and Uranian astrology.

"He bickered back and forth with Charles Jayne and let me know that I had "made it in astrology" when Charles Jayne finally yelled at me and hung up the phone. Charles was supportive. He came with dial and slippers. He was a Leo. He was a character. He was a star. Or was it a Sun? If we are to do anything for Charles, let's work to keep the NCGR alive--to keep astrology alive."

Joan Abel wrote in the 1/93 Issue of Mercury Hour:

"When Margaret Emerson called with the news that Charles had passed away, twenty years of memories came flooding back, starting with my first visit to the cozy apartment in Chelsea, a "rectification" class that turned out to be my introduction to Uranian. I was the first to arrive and found a tall, smiling, professorish looking gentleman organizing the coffee things.

"We chatted till class began and I found myself in a strange new world where I didn't know my Cupido from Valkanus. But thanks to Charles' enthusiasm and patience, I soon found myself twiddling the 90-degree dial with the rest of them, amazed at the accuracy of this "weird" system! I took more Uranian courses. Once, when I was the only student to show up at the last session, Charles did a Uranian number on my chart, zeroing in on personal secrets no one else could possibly have known. Lucky for us, he was honest and ethical--what a potential for blackmail!

"He was Leo through and through in his cheerfulness, vitality and generosity in giving of his knowledge and himself. He and Margaret hosted annual New Years parties where astrologers (and other enlightened people) met informally and got to know each other. Once I was invited to a meeting of the NCGR Research Committee, wondered why, and all was made clear when a birthday cake appeared. Charles had given me a surprise party, the only one I've ever had in my whole life!

"His last years were difficult: the diabetic flare-up and two amputations from diabetes. Like the true lion, Charles met adversity with courage and good humor. We mourn his passing but are glad at least that it was quick and without pain. His warm, caring and vital presence will be sorely missed by his friends as well as his colleagues of the astrological community."

To Some Tributes to Charles Emerson
Tributes to Other Uranian Astrologers
Tributes to Other New York Astrologers
Memorials A-K, Continued
To Memorials L-Z

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? This memorial is interactive, and we welcome your memories and tributes, which we will add in the order recieved. (They may be edited for grammar, length, and suitability.). If there are any additional contributions we should mention or any inaccuracies in the memorial, please bring them to our attention. We would also love to have photos to bring back vivid memories. (Photos will be scanned and returned.) To suggest names, share memories, create tributes, or volunteer, send us an e-mail.

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CREDITS: The background was designed by Grumpy's Graphics. Maria Simms supplied the photo. The lion cartoon is from the "Wizard of Draws," Jeff Buchhino. The lion photo is from Echo's Web Magic. This memorial was created by Donna Cunningham.