David Dering Meisel "Poppy", 85, retired SUNY Geneseo astronomer, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Conrad Meisel, and daughters Grace Margaret Meisel (Scott Tefoe) and Catherine Elise Meisel McGinnis, (Paul McGinnis), grandpa to Debbie McGinnis O'Connor (Andrew O'Connor) and Megan McGinnis, and great granddad to Maeve O'Connor and sister Louise Rankin. He was pre-deceased by his parents Dorothy and Louis Meisel and sister Maribel.

Dave's love since childhood was astronomy and after getting his Bachelor of Science in Physics from West Virginia University he earned his PhD in Astronomy from the Ohio State University. He began his teaching career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia and spent the next 30+ years teaching Physics and Astronomy at SUNY Geneseo. David held open houses for the public on the roof of the Bailey Science Building and gave planetarium shows to Livingston County grade school classes. He rose from Assistant Professor to Professor to a SUNY Distinguished Professor, and ?nally Professor Emeriti in 2005.

David's love of astronomy was only surpassed by his devotion to his students, with an untold number working not only in the Physics and Astronomy ?elds but in many others. He would do anything for his students, frequently going above and beyond to ensure their success, resulting in Dave being a beloved professor across the globe.

When Dave was not teaching, he was observing at the University of Rochester's Mees telescope where he was an Associate Director from 1988-1997. He served as a Sr. Associate for NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center, a fellow of the American Astronomical Society and Royal Astronomical Society. He conducted research at the Arecibo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico and was the Executive Director of the American Meteor Society from 1973 until shortly before his passing. In addition to teaching, Dave was a respected researcher and has many articles in professional journals. He is the co-author of the book Astrophysics Through Computation (2013) which is still used in university classrooms today.

Dave loved opera, the BBC, Monty Python and most of all, his family. He enjoyed outings to opera simulcasts, concerts at the college, Happy Hours and dinner with friends and family. "Poppy" would regale us with his stories, wit, wisdom and love for life and people. He will be missed dearly.

A Memorial Service of David's Life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 1 PM at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo.

In lieu of fowers, donations can be made to the Genesee Valley Conservancy, P.O. Box 73, Geneseo, NY 14454 or SUNY Geneseo Physics and Astronomy Department, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454.