Russell Honeycutt

Dr. Russell Kent Honeycutt died on January 2nd, 2025, in Holland, Michigan, after a battle with dementia. Kent was born on July 20, 1940, and was the only child of Zeb Russell Honeycutt and Ila Gladys Harwell Honeycutt. Kent received an A.B. from King University in Physics and Mathematics, an M.S. from Vanderbilt University in Astrophysics, and a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Astronomy.

Kent was raised on a small farm in Mooresville, North Carolina, which shaped his work ethic and lifelong love of the land. The farm stayed in his family for over 80 years, and he always appreciated the fresh fruits and vegetables it provided. In 1964 he married Anne Walker Powell, the love of his life, whom he met at King. They were married for more than 59 years until her death in 2023 and raised two sons together.

Kent joined the astronomy faculty of Indiana University in 1968. During his time at IU he was a member of the WIYN Science Advisory Committee, sat on the boards of AURA and the Hubble Space Telescope Review, was the director of the Goethe Link observatories, and served multiple stints as astronomy department chair. He particularly loved research and primarily focused his work in the areas of interacting binary stars, accretion disks, and telescope automation. Kent authored or co-authored more than 175 research papers during his career, which have in turn received thousands of subsequent citations. In 1998 he was bestowed an endowed professorship as the John Hill Professor of Astronomy. He retired from IU in 2005.

In retirement Kent enjoyed playing the guitar, woodworking, and reading world history while continuing to research and publish. He and Anne also enjoyed traveling, particularly time spent at their house in Michigan watching their beloved grandchildren grow up.

Survivors include sons Kyle Honeycutt (Tara Little) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Todd Honeycutt (Jupy) of Holland, Michigan, and grandchildren Grant, Zachary, and Jana Honeycutt. Also surviving are Anne's sisters and brothers-in-law, Leisa and Paul Pedone, Nancy and Bill Wadsworth, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts can be made to the IU Astronomy Department or First Presbyterian Church of Bloomington. The family would like to thank Quincy Place’s Memory Care unit in Holland, Michigan, for their excellent care during Kent’s final months. A celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington on January 11th, 2025, at 2pm.