Caris (second from left) at the dedication of the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. Richard F. Caris, a major donor to the University of Arizona's astronomy program and namesake of its flagship mirror lab, died at his home in Scottsdale Aug. 9 at the age of 81.
The UA renamed its Steward Observatory Mirror Lab after Caris in 2015.
Roger Angel, who runs the lab, said Caris was involved in the program long before he became a donor - and even before he was aware of it. His company, Interface, produced load cells.
"These are things that measure the amount of force that you’re applying to something," said Angel.
For nearly three decades those load cells have been crucial tools in the production of mirrors. Many years ago, Caris noticed that the UA was purchasing his products.
"He was curious and contacted us and wanted to know what we were doing and why," said Angel.
Over the last 15 years, Caris' donations have supported the Steward Observatory, Astronomy Camp, Mount Lemmon Sky Center and Mirror Lab. In 2014, he donated $20 million to the Giant Magellan Telescope, which is being constructed in Chile with UA partnership.
"He really valued ambitious, exciting projects and the people that were trying to do them," said UA astronomy department head Buell Januzzi.
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