 | |
| 1980 | Kevin Medlock |
| 1981 | Denni Frerichs Medlock |
| 1982 | Gerry Rattley |
| 1983 | Bob Fingerhut |
| 1984 | Jim Van Nuland |
| 1985 | Jack Zeiders |
| 1987 | Don Machholz |
| 1989 | Tom Ahl |
| 1991 | Jack Peterson, Paul Barton (two awards) |
| 1995 | Bob Ashford |
| 1997 | Bob Keller |
| 1998 | Jay Reynolds Freeman |
| 1999 | Ed Erbeck |
| 2000 | Jane Houston Jones |
The award is a plaque including the text "In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions of Time and Effort to Others in Amateur Astronomy". It is presented only once.
Dr. Boris Gregory was a professor of French Literature at San Jose State College. He had a lifetime interest in astronomy, and for retirement, was given or bought one of the earliest C-8 telescopes. It was delivered personally by the then-president of Celestron, as he was a long-time friend of Dr. Gregory.
After retirement, he taught an introductory astronomy class, part of the Adult Education series. It was in one of these sessions that Bob Fingerhut and other SJAA members met him.
Dr. Gregory was president of SJAA for one term, 1973-1974. He was on the Board from antiquity until his death in March 1979, and was especially adept at welcoming newcomers. With years of experience, he was often asked for advice and help, and his answer was typically, "Come over and we'll work on it". At board meetings, he was very often the first to say, "I'll look into that".
After his death, SJAA members Bob Fingerhut and Norm Neinchel conceived the Gregory Award. Bob and Norm provided the initial funds, and there was a nomination and a donation (in that order) from Mrs. Gregory a few years later. In addition, one of our members has sometimes chosen to cover the cost instead of asking to be reimbursed for the engraving.