FRANKLIN C.J.T. LOEHDE (1936-2023) joined the Edmonton Centre while in junior high school and was soon attracted to all aspects of observing - meteors, auroras, lunar features and occultations, sunspots, and variable stars. He studied science at the University of Alberta, including Astronomy, and worked for two summers (1959-60) at the DAO. He was President of the Centre in 1961, during which time he helped to establish the Queen Elizabeth Planetarium and organized the first western GA. He was again Centre President in 1971-72.

A high-school teacher and administrator by profession, Loehde was the Centre's Director of Educational Activities for several years. A chapter on Astronomy in Alberta - A Natural History was his special Centennial project in 1967. He spoke a number of times on such topics as spectroscopy, on astronomy in Europe and Mexico and on the Edmonton Space Sciences Centre which he promoted enthusiastically as a member of the original Board of Directors and President of the Space Sciences Foundation. He arranged the "Donate-A-Star" program to raise funds for ESSC and organized the delivery of 16,000 promotional kits to classrooms across the province. Franklin's wife, Audrey, was a great help, serving as Social Convenor for many years. Her untimely death in 1989 was deeply felt by many in the Society.

Franklin Loehde in 1980.

At the national level, Loehde's first responsibility was as co-ordinator for lunar occultations on the Committee for Observational Activities in 1965. Since 1973, he has served continuously on the National Council, first as the representative of Edmonton Centre, then in the Presidential Offices and lately as Centre Rep once again. On receiving the Service Award in 1976, Franklin Loehde was commended for stimulating public appreciation of science especially among young people.

—Peter Broughton (from Looking Up)