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P.C. Tobias de Boer

1930 - 2016

P.C. Tobias de Boer obituary, 1930-2016, Ithaca, NY

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P.C. de Boer Obituary

de Boer, P. C. Tobias

P. C. Tobias de Boer died peacefully at Kendal Ithaca on May 2, 2016. He was professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University for over forty years. Tob was born in Leiden, the Netherlands on May 21, 1930, and grew up in Gouda. He completed his undergraduate and Master's degrees at the Delft University of Technology in 1954. There, he rowed competitively and developed lifelong friendships in his fraternity. After graduating, he served in the Dutch military, earning the rank of lieutenant. In 1956 he married Joan Lieshout and they moved to the United States, where Tob earned his PhD in 1962 in physics under Professor J. M. Burgers at the University of Maryland. During this time, Tob and Joan's three children were born. At Cornell, Professor de Boer taught courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion and mathematics, and conducted research in the areas of shock wave physics, engine emissions control, fuel injection, hydrogen fuels, Stirling engines and pulse tube generators. He took summer and sabbatical leaves in which he conducted research at the Aerospace Corporation, the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, Delft University of Technology, Centre National de la Recherche, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Tob was an avid athlete. One memorable achievement was setting a national record by cycling 448 miles in 24 hours at 48 years of age. Tob participated vigorously in the long distance running, bicycling, orienteering, cross country skiing and triathlon communities, locally and nationally. He was president of the Finger Lakes Cycling Club and founding president of the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club. He was treasurer of the Cascadilla Rowing Club. Outside of professional work and sports, Tob enjoyed reading and conversing in Dutch, English, French, and German and playing piano. Throughout his life, Tob remained in close contact with family in the Netherlands, including some fifteen first cousins, returning to visit nearly every summer for fifty years. He was predeceased by his sister Willemina. He is survived by his wife Joan, his son Maarten (Pittsburgh, PA), and daughters Claire (Hershey, PA) and Yvette (Ithaca), and five grandchildren, Cobus, Ilona, Willem, Rowan and Ayla, who will miss his continual support, high energy, inquisitive nature and great enthusiasm. Donations in memory of Tob may be made to the Cornell Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or to Hospice of Ithaca. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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

Published by Ithaca Journal on May 5, 2016.

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Paulina Vander Noordaa

May 16, 2016

We hebben fijne herinnerings van alle tijden die we samen hadden als kinderen met jullie familie. En fijn jullie in Grenoble te zien. Nu is hij bei onze ouders in de 'spirit world'... heel veel liefs en het allerbeste aan de hele familie...

Louise Adie

May 12, 2016

Joan and family, I was so saddened to hear of Tob's passing. He'd always been a shining star, a bright light in our collective Nordic skiing histories in this community. Many Canadian Ski Marathons together with both of you and countless other snowy outings. You've both done so much for our outdoor active community...the influences of which will be felt for a very long time. We'll miss Tob and his enthusiasm. What a wonderful man and legacy. May you rest in peace, Tob...you will be missed.

Miki

May 11, 2016

Claire, I'm sorry to hear about your Father. Sending prayer and hugs.

Terry Light

May 6, 2016

Dear Joan,

I'm so sorry to hear of Tob's passing. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family. Three words come to mind when I think of Tob, kindness, intelligence and wit. It was a blessing to have met Tob, to have had the pleasure of rowing with him out of Cascadilla, and for my Mom and family to have met the both of you.

Terry

Tamme Egan Suggs

May 5, 2016

Maarten,

So sorry to read about your father passing away. I have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you at our 40th IHS Reunion this summer.

Tamme Egan Suggs

May 5, 2016

Tob will be missed by everyone that whom ever he has had contact with. I will always remember him for the smile on his face and his kind, gentle nature. He encouraged many an athlete want-to-be, like myself, to do their best in both cycling and x-c skiing.

Scitt Zimmerman

May 4, 2016

Tob was a great inspiration to us all. I will miss his presence with the (CNSC) ski club, and seeing him regularly the YMCA. I was always so impressed by his gentle spirit and kind nature, always a smile and a friendly word.

Andrejs Ozolins

May 3, 2016

My sorrow at his departure balances my the admiration and delight at Tob's presence in our community. As a member of the Finger Lakes Cycling Club, I knew him as a remarkable natural athlete - - but, one who never mentioned athleticism, never imposed competition on a friendly ride, and always augmented the group on our rides. I was amazed at his ability to power up our ubiquitous hills with the younger riders, leaving me toiling to catch up. But, mostly, I knew him in recent times, the period when he was the thoughtful elder whom we could ask about the old days. I guess the extraordinary modesty with which he illuminated our world is the most memorable aspect of Tob's presence. I grieve his passing and extend all my sympathy for the incalculable loss to his family.

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