ECC, U-46 astronomy teacher had 'true passion'

In some ways, Donald Tuttle was like the planets and stars he studied.

The longtime director of the Elgin Area School District U-46's Observatory and former Elgin Community College professor was drawn to teaching like a gravitational pull.

And like the spectrum of light emitted by a star, he had many talents and skills.

"He always called it his dream job," recalled Carol, his wife of 61 years. "To be able to teach astronomy, that's what he loved to do."

Tuttle, who died Sunday at the age of 90, taught at Elgin Community College for nearly 50 years, retiring in December 2007 but still teaching "Astronomy for Fun" for free until 2009.

He served as the observatory director from 1960 to 1985, inspiring students during the Cold War and the heat of the space race. A former student of Tuttle's was Hal Getzelman, who now works as NASA's lead capsule communicator for the International Space Station.

Carol said her husband wore plaid ties in his younger days and would buy Western-style bolo ties when the pair traveled.

"Students expected it of him," she recalled. "Some classes came all in plaid to the observatory because they knew he liked plaid and if he didn't have any plaid on, they'd be upset."

Carol said her husband also enjoyed music, playing in the ECC Steel Drum band along with the piano, organ and trombone.

He also translated old church documents from German to English.

In the 1990s, Tuttle began quilting and made more than 100. He had a goal of providing a quilt for a friend or institution in each of the 50 states. Carol Tuttle said the family recently mailed the 50th quilt to a friend in Hawaii.

Elizabeth Becker, a biology professor at ECC, said a quilt of the periodic table made by Tuttle still hangs in the chemistry department.

Becker said Tuttle was soft-spoken and very generous of his time, often setting up telescopes for students and faculty members when there was an astronomical event at night.

"He loved teaching," Becker said. "He had a true passion for astronomy and her really enjoyed sharing that with his students and colleagues."

Tuttle is survived by his wife, three children and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service.