Andrew Hollis

Andrew John Hollis (3 February 1947 – 21 November 2005) was a British astronomer, chartered engineer and chartered loss adjuster. He was the founding director of the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section of the British Astronomical Association (BAA) and was a pioneer in astronomical photoelectric photometry.

Early life and family Hollis was born in Cambridge and grew up there and in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. His father was a manager for Ind Coope. He also had a strong connection to Norfolk through his grandparents' home and, later, his father's place of retirement. His early interests included canal boats, railways and astronomy, and he later became interested in constructing computers. He was a lifelong supporter of Norwich City F.C. He and his brother, Richard, went to St. Alban's School. He played rugby, cricket, bowls and 10-pin bowling. He studied at Imperial College, London, becoming a BSc in Civil Engineering and an Associate of the City and Guilds of London Institute.

He met Ruth Muriel Hirst in 1971 at the British Transport Docks Board (BTDB) in Hull. They married in 1972 and moved to Redditch in 1973. They had three children, Angela, Julia and Christopher, before moving to Cheshire.

In 1989, Hollis had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which increasingly affected his life and work despite his stoicism. He died in 2005 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Legacy Hollis's proudest honour was that the asteroid 4084 Hollis (previously 1985 GM), a 29-kilometre member of the Koronis family with a near-circular orbit, was so named to recognise his astronomical contributions upon the recommendation of its discoverer, Ted Bowell.