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Dr. J. Christopher Jaffe

J. Jaffe Obituary

Dr. J. Christopher Jaffe
Acoustical Design Pioneer
Dr. J. Christopher Jaffe, a 58 year resident of Norwalk, CT, died peacefully at home among his loving, devoted family on Thursday, May 23, 2013.
Dr. Jaffe was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1927, the son of Dr. Boris and Ludmila Jaffe. He was married to Marcia Paris Jaffe in 1951.
He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, a M.A. in Theatre from Columbia University and an honorary doctorate from Rensselaer.
A pioneer in the field of acoustical design, in 1958, he founded Stagecraft Corporation, which later became Jaffe Acoustics. He has worked on more than 250 performance halls including such prestigious projects as the acoustic renovations of the Hollywood Bowl, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, John F. Kennedy Center, Bass Performance Hall, Severance Hall, Tokyo International Forum and Sala Nezahualcoyotl in Mexico City. He most recently was a Principal Consultant with Acentech in Cambridge, MA.
He has taught acoustics at the Juilliard School, City University of New York, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he is the founder of the master's program in architectural acoustics. His honors include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Business, the American Institute of Architect's Award for Collaborative Achievement, and election to the RPI Hall of Fame. In 2010, he authored The Acoustics of Performance Halls: Spaces for Music from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. In 2011, he received the Wallace Clement Sabine Medal from the Acoustical Society of America, “for innovative acoustical solutions in performance hall design and for architectural acoustics education.”
An active outdoorsman who hiked, swam, skied and sailed, he spent his summers in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. He first hiked Mount Marcy at the age of eight with his mother and sister.
He is survived by his children Irene, Chris, Jr., and Nina, his daughter-in laws, Trudy and Karen, his grandchildren, Matthew, Courtney and Kayla and his three cats. He was predeceased by his wife, Marcia Paris Jaffe, his parents and sister, Irene.
A memorial service in his honor will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 5:00pm. Please contact Collins Funeral Home for more information.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Adirondack Council or to the ASPCA.
Please visit www.collins-funeral.com to leave condolences.

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

Published by The Hour on Jun. 3, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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Dawn Werner Pratson

June 14, 2013

My Dad and I are heartbroken over the loss of this extraordinary man. Our condolences to you all: Irene, Chris, Nina and families

Gretchen Gelman Saccone

June 6, 2013

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Chris. He was a dear friend to my Dad and I always enjoyed Chris' visits.
My thoughts are with Nina, Chris and Irene and their families.

Daniel Gelman

June 5, 2013

I was deeply saddened to learn about Chris today. Chris was one my father's best friends and I will always have the memory of that friendship while growing up to the day my father died. Chris was a good friend and my father loved him! My thoughts and prayers are with Irene, Chris, and Nina, and their families.

Frank Balogh

June 5, 2013

Irene
So sorry to hear about your dad
Frank & Karen

Janet Gaynor

June 5, 2013

Irene, I was saddened to hear of your dad's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time

Charles (Chuck) Howe

June 3, 2013

Chris and I entered RPI together in June of 1943 and lived together in the Phi Epsilon Phi House.He was impressive then and he built on that.A real achiever who made the world a lot better.God bless Chris and all his family.

Sharon & Manny

June 3, 2013

Irene, we are so sorry to hear about your father. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

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Funeral services provided by:

Collins Funeral Home - Norwalk

92 East Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851

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