Search by Name

Search by Name

ADELBERT AMES M.D. III

ADELBERT AMES M.D. III obituary, Concord, VT

ADELBERT AMES Obituary

AMES, Adelbert III, MD Retired Massachusetts General Hospital Neuroscientist, Harvard Medical School Professor Adelbert Ames III, MD, 97, of Marlboro, Vermont, died on May 31st, surrounded by family. Del was born in Boston to Fanny Vose Hazen Ames and Adelbert Ames, son of the Civil War general of the same name. He and his sister Priscilla grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire. Del fished, hunted, and watched birds. He skied at the nation's first rope tow in Woodstock, VT, and skied in his first Hochgebirge Challenge Cup race at Cannon Mountain, NH, at 13. Del moved from Hanover High School to Exeter Academy, to Harvard, and on to Harvard Medical School. He served in the Army doing research in Alaska on how to keep troops alive in extremely cold conditions, and completed a medical residency at Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Del's career in medical research on brain function was at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he helped establish the tradition of basic research that endures to this day. He retired as the Charles Anthony Pappas Professor of Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School. Del innovated the study of brain physiology by using retinal tissue to explore how the brain functions and by first showing that the retina could be kept alive outside the body for precise study. He invented an artificial cerebrospinal fluid – the Ames medium – that scientists use to this day. He also explored how brain tissue damage could be avoided by reducing the body's temperature, a function-saving therapy now widely used in neurology and neurosurgery. While at Harvard, Del was president of the gliding club, and was captain of the Harvard Ski Team in 1941. In 1946, he was a charter member of the Drifters Ski Club, formed to obtain "some kind of lodging in Northern New England from which such sports as skiing, drinking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and gliding could be pursued." Drifters originally stayed in Dundee, NH, before moving to a new lodge in Jackson, NH, in 1955, where the club continues to thrive. Del entered many Masters ski races during his retirement. He gave up racing in the Hochgebirge Challenge Cup race at age 88, after a seventy-five year run that was interrupted only by WW ll. Del was last seen on cross-country skis when he was 96. Ever an outdoorsman, he hunted partridges and woodcock and fly fished throughout his life. In 1948, Del married Judith Quentin Derby of Oyster Bay, NY, and they eventually moved to Concord, MA to raise three children: Mark, Judith, and David Ames. In September of 1973, Del lost Judith to cancer. Two years later he married Mary Faith (Polly) Wilson, and became step-father to her six children: T Hunter, Nora, Nancy, Roger, Dawes, and Patricia Wilson. In the early 1980s, Del and Polly began moving into retirement at Polly's family's country home, Jenckes Farm in Marlboro, VT. Del and Polly purchased contiguous woodlands and established the Jenckes Foundation as a conservation reserve, protecting significant back land and historic cellar holes in Marlboro and Halifax. The Foundation will persist as a legacy for wildlife to the benefit of townspeople and students at Marlboro College. In retirement, Del continued writing and reviewing journal articles, publishing his last one in 2011. He created a network of cross-country ski trails, and worked with Polly to plant countless annuals, perennials, and trees. He expanded and mowed fields, cleared views of solstice and equinox sunsets, battled beavers, and inadvertently fed otters from his trout pond. "Grandel" introduced a new generation to the joys of fishing. During their later years, Polly began to suffer from memory loss, and Del served as her primary caregiver and cheerleader. During their forty-three years of marriage, Del and Polly modeled a love and tenderness that continues to inspire us all. Del's inquisitive mind, his delight in life, in people and in nature was contagious. He touched both family and friends deeply with his ability to listen and honor. The family is tremendously grateful to the many friends and caregivers who supported Del and Polly during Del's decline. Longtime family friend Rebecca Gembarowski provided loving support for the last six years. Along with his wife and children, Del leaves four daughters-in-law, four sons-in-law, eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Priscilla Anderson. A memorial service to honor Del Ames will be held at All Souls Church, 29 South Street, West Brattleboro, Vermont on Friday, August 10th at 3 p.m. Please join us.

View the online memorial for Adelbert III, MD AMES

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 13 to Jul. 15, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for ADELBERT AMES

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

Nicholas Zervas

July 17, 2018

Del was a great human being and scientist
He will not beforgotten by his frinds

Mark Biscoe

July 14, 2018

We remember Mark and David at the Fenn School in Concord - Classes 1964 and 1970 respectively. My thoughts go in particular to David who was the construction engineer on a full sized - and working Roman catapult my Latin class built in the spring of 1970. Without David's skill, "Big Jupiter" (as we nicknamed the catapult) would never have been started.

I am doing some research on General Adelbert Ames who trained the 20th Maine soldiers ; in doing so ran across the announcement of your Dad's passing. What a wonderful life for you to be proud of !

Best wishes,
Mark and Jane Biscoe
20 Mast Lane
Brunswick, ME 04011

July 14, 2018

I am so sorry for the immeasurable loss of your loved one. May God strengthen and sustain you with 'everlasting comfort and good hope' and 'comfort your hearts' during this deeply sad and terribly difficult time. - 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17

July 13, 2018

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in ADELBERT AMES's name

Memorial Events
for ADELBERT AMES

Aug

10

Memorial service

3:00 p.m.

All Souls Church

29 South Street, West Brattleboro, VT

How to support ADELBERT's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor ADELBERT AMES's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more