Friendly and easy to talk, Professor Roy was an inspirational teacher. He was super smart and could explain things in a way that would make you think differently. On March 14th, 2013, here are some things people shared at a service to honor professor Archie at Glasgow University Chapel.
Archie is an amazing scientist who is well-known nationally and internationally. He gained the attention of audiences with his science talks and was a pivotal person in the initial years of Orkney Science Festival, visiting venues on the mainland and in the islands he led discussions about space exploration and the unexplained which attracted large audiences.
John C brown shared what Archie Roy did as the leading astronomer in Scotland. He wrote famous astronomy books and did research on both space and the brain, publishing more than 70 research papers. His abilities were so remarkable in astronautics that led him to being asked in the 1960s to do calculations on lunar projections for NASA in the preparations for the mission to send a man to the moon. A traditional mechanical calculator has to be used for calculations and Professor Brown remembered arriving at the university and asking for Archie Roy, to be told by his secretary: “Follow the clatter”
A Dare on the Moon
Archie Roy’s comments about the progress of lunar exploration were correct. The Reverend Stuart McQuarrie, a college chaplain, spoke in November 1964 of a bet he made that a man would land on the moon by 1971. Archie Roy bet £20 on William Hill and beat the odds. He won a bet and won £1,200 in 1969. “I think William Hill stayed away from Archie,” Mr. McQuarrie said.
Professor Brown spoke of Archie Roy’s outstanding abilities as a professor and recalled how he first met him in Paisley when he was a 16-year-old schoolboy attending evening classes. For six decades Archie Roy also worked as a teacher at the university, he said. He could create a flawless circle with both of his hands simultaneously, or write on half of the board with his left hand and finish it with his other hand; This will be a great pleasure for your people to come and see.
“He was a brilliant proof-reader. No error can hide from him. He could also make a point about content. He’d say: I wouldn’t alter a thing of this, and the one word that I wouldn’t change is that one”
Professor Brown said, “He was determined to get a deep understanding of anything he was inspired from”. It might be another astronomical problem like Caledonia 4-body, or it might be a part of the astronomy’s history such as origin of the constellations.
Similarly, Archie Roy was interested in ESP research and the supernatural exploration, and stared a group of Scottish Society’s to study them and was the chief founder for ESP Research. His research was so enthusiast that he was fully pususaded that existence continues beyond the grave, he summed it up by saying: “If I die and I figure out that I’ve not lived, I’ll be surprised”
Keeping a Log
His life gained a new dimension with the discovery of the diary he started writing when he was 18, in memory of this teacher, who was an important scientist and famous storyteller. Three stories and reading excerpts illustrate the challenges his father had to overcome to pursue his chosen career.
“My father, the model in Glasgow, never talked about his inner thoughts and never really talked about his own past, perhaps because of the difficult life he grew up in which caused him to develop bad habits. The problem affects his ability to eat with others. he then contracted an illness when he turned 17 and was confined to Weir bridge Sanatorium, where he began writing this diary.
Only in his 19th year, the most important part of his career was his dedication to his research and his decision to return to the University of Glasgow to find his dedicated path through all the inconsistencies of the time when he developed TB. Perhaps he took the lives of his victims, considering that his hobby in “aviation” as the main subject was nothing more than a fantasy. So I’d love to mention a few entries from this diary that I think best describe this part of his life, and which I find both fascinating and humbling.
Saturday, August 10, 1944. As I wandered around the streets with my mother she questioned me if I wanted to go into business, and I thought I had business acumen, even though I was also well-liked. My mother’s idea is that I will be my own employer, owning a shop or two, and can retire if I feel unwell at any time. In my opinion, the mother’s argument has some negative aspects, but also the appeal of the prospect of creating a good business.
My mother knows nothing about my plans but I do agree her she has been one of the best advisors. After much contemplation I considered going back to university and to study physics, chemistry, mathematics and astronomy because I think this an authentic approach to pursue a astronautical career. Owning a business sounds good but that still doesn’t guarantee a good health and this doesn’t support my plans. However I might use spare time to make astronautics my hobby but the idea is still not attractive. I’m passionate for astronautics and diving back into my studies is the best way to serve science, I shall pick up where I left off”
More from the Log
“January 16th 1945. Yesterday I arrived home at 5 o clock and today it’s Tuesday evening yet it’s unbelievable for me that I’m awake. Bridge of Weir seems like a dream to me but it will still live in my memories and the people I met there.
Before my departure, I spoke with the Chief. He showed interest in my future plans and I loved his kindness. I told him I wanted to resume my studies, but I did not let my devotion for astronautics come out of my mouth. I wanted him to let me in and not think of me as a mentally ill person.
September 2nd 1945
Our telephones were cut off and only then father paid the bills. He asked me about my fee for the Varsity but he didn’t see much happy about it.
The Registrar sent me a letter which said that there’s a place for me so if everything goes good, I’ll start in October. Strewth, one moment I feel so restless and the other moment I feel like I’m so close to my goals that nothing can come in my way.
October 13th 1945. I was out of money to pay fee, all thanks to Mother who saw the Registrar, and the Carnegie Trust secretary sent us a letter which extended their help to us and then I felt great encouragement. Now I can work stress-free.”
Archie Roy would become Scotland’s leading astronomers.
“He was surrounded by friends, colleagues, students, followers, admirers, and advisees who thought of him as their inspiration.”
A Birthday Delight
Professor Brown talked about the 80th birthday celebration the Department of Astronomy organized for him. Joined the students for afternoon tea before visiting the Glasgow Science Center Planetarium, a valuable space for which Archie has long campaigned. There, Professor Brown and the Science Center invited him to lecture at the event. Archie Roy later declared it “the best birthday ever”.
The sight of this tall man with a rare heart, rare emotions and a beautiful expression, “ready to laugh”, as Professor Brown put it, caused deep thoughts in the hearts of the people present. The choir’s voices echoed through the church.