Nordic Optical Telescope

Pedro worked as a mechanic on the mountain for 35 years and is probably the person who has been in most physical contact with the telescope, taking care of its daily maintenance and manufacturing many mechanical items. The Service Building became his second home and the NOT would definitely not be what it is today without him.

But above all, Pedro was a great colleague and a true friend. For many years we would drive up to the mountain top, already feeling comforted by the certainty that Pedro would be waiting in the Service Building, where we would settle into one of those lengthy, meandering chats that wandered well beyond work. Pedro was always very helpful and easy-going, with a positive attitude, even in times of trouble.

He was often the first person the visitors met, and therefore responsible for the first impression that led some of them to return as student support astronomers and, in some cases, to join our staff. We will never forget hacking ice with him on the catwalk against the clock, or the many times we arrived at the telescope to do an instrument change only to find he had already done it as a simple act of kindness. We are all grateful to have known him. May he rest in peace.

Our special thoughts go out to his partner, children, grandchildren, mother and siblings.