Chandler park's planetary walk honors astronomy buff

From AZCentral:  Chandler park's planetary walk honors astronomy buff

Visitors to Chandler's Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, can learn about the solar system thanks to a 2,500-foot solar-system walk around the park's lake.
Maybe taking that walk along the scale representation of the distance between the sun, planets and other objects in the solar system will inspire someone to look up into the night sky and study astronomy.
That's just what Howard Israel would have wanted.

The solar walk is dedicated to Israel, who died last Friday at 78 after a bout with lung cancer. The Ahwatukee resident and astronomy buff was vice president of the East Valley Astronomy Club and taught classes about the night sky at Chandler's Environmental Education Center. Madeline Israel, his wife of more than 55 years, said her husband was thrilled to have been able to attend the dedication ceremony of the solar walk on July 7.
"He made the dedication, and how many people witness their own memorials and even write them, for the most part?" Madeline Israel said. "He died as he lived, on his terms."
Israel was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended East New York Vocational High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956.
The Israels have lived in Arizona since 1980 after a job transfer with General Semiconductor Industries. Israel retired in 1997, which allowed him time to pursue hobbies that included flying, sailing, photography, kite flying, fishing, music and astronomy.
"He tried just about everything a human could try," Israel's daughter, Sharyn Younger, said. "He jumped in with both feet and became a pseudo expert. He was a learner and a teacher."
Israel also taught about astronomy at the Arizona Science Center, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and on cruise ships. He was Phoenix section leader for the International Dark-Sky Association.
Israel was passionate about progressive issues and Democratic ideals and supported candidates and causes that he believed in. His son, Steve Israel, is a U.S. congressman representing the 2nd District of New York.
Israel is survived by his wife and daughter and by sons Steve and Richard Israel, and grandchildren Matthew Young, Carly Israel, Ryan Young, Elana Israel and Hannah Young.
Madeline Israel said her husband's passing was peaceful and occurred on an appropriate night for an astronomy buff.
"He died on the night of a blue moon," she said. "It's like he orchestrated it."

Howard Israel, 1934-2012

A memorial gathering for Howard Israel is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 29 at the Chandler home of Craig and Sharyn Younger, 2101 E. Palm Beach Drive.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Chandler Solar System Walk fund at www.chandlersolarsystemwalk.com. Donations by check should be made out to the East Valley Astronomy Club with a notation for Howard Israel Solar System Walk on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to Madeline Israel, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Suite 29515, Phoenix, AZ 85044.