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GEORGE BRANDENBURG Obituary
69, of Salem, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at The Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. Born in Hempstead, NY and raised in Denver, CO and Wilmette, IL, he was the son of the late Walter H. Brandenburg and the late Judith Ebenhack Brandenburg. He earned B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from Harvard University and held appointments researching and teaching particle physics at the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany, Stanford University, and MIT. He was Director of the High-Energy Physics Laboratory at Harvard for 28 years until his retirement in 2008. Just prior to his retirement he worked on the Atlas Experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland. He was an avid sailor, pilot, musician, skier, maritime historian and devoted member of First Church in Salem, Unitarian. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ellen Brandenburg of Salem, daughter Anna Brandenburg of Concord, NH and son Peter Brandenburg & wife Krisztina Holly of Los Angeles and brother John Brandenburg of Maple Grove, MN. His memorial service will be held Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at First Church in Salem, 316 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center, 30 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH 03801. For additional information and guestbook, please visit
www.LevesqueFunerals.com
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Memories and Condolences
for GEORGE BRANDENBURG
Joann Weibel Moe
September 19, 2021
I met George during our student government days in high school. Cleaning out the attic, I found a box of memories and decided to see if I could find him. I am not at all surprised to learn about his amazing career. I am so sorry to find out that he died so young. I remember his smile and that he was very smart and fun to be around during the week we were delegates to a student council convention in Oklahoma City.
Jill Scobie
September 14, 2021
Anna, Ivy and Peter,
I think of George every single day. Ellen and George were so important to us, the best of the best of friends. We had so many wonderful memories: of both their houses in Lexington, their lovely home in Salem, many a shared luncheon, brunch, dinner, boat ride, airplane flight with George piloting, all the Mustard Seed sings, Scotch tastings, wonderful conversations most of all. He was given every gift: an outstanding intellect, musical talent, a handsome visage, athletic ability, interest in others, a great conversationalist with the ability to listen, personal integrity, true generosity, progressive politics, deeply serious but with the capacity for enjoying life and the wish to share that enjoyment. How blessed we were to be his friends; how blessed we are in so many lovely memories. "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things you haven't dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence....." (Part of a poem, High Flight, by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 1922-41) George's life really was a "High Flight." Rob, what an act, you and George singing "Dirt" at Dick's 60th, and, Brett, sing "Solo," your special song for George....can't hold back the tears.
September 11, 2019
Ellen, Peter, Krisztina, Anna, and Ivy,
No days passes without memories of George: his grace, his music, his interesting conversation, his many talents, his intellect. He was a generous, generous friend, a true cosmopolitan, thoughtful, and adventurous. Zowie, Ellen, you were a knock out couple.
Best love, Jill Scobie
October 2, 2013
Ellen, Anna, and Peter,
Life gave George many, many gifts. A true "prince." he was a man of wonderful intellect, multiple talents, a handsome visage, a generous spirit, and a warm heart. How difficult to have to let him go so early. He was a blessing to each community of which he was a member. My heart aches for all of you. Best love, Jill Scobie
Debby Merritt
September 28, 2013
I have happy memories of George and making music and Star Island and Mustard Seeds.my love to Ellen and Anna and Peter .
September 25, 2013
Ellen, our heartfelt condolences on George's death. We have wonderful memories of George and hope that in this hour of grief that you are filled with thoughts and memories of your wonderful life together. Joanne Shankman Steinback and Jim Steinback, class of NT '62
John and Linda Linton
September 18, 2013
Dear Ellen, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We were so saddened to hear of George's death.
Wendy Browder
September 18, 2013
Dear Ellen,
My heart goes out to you and your family! Such a loss for you and all those whose lives he touched. You are in my prayers.
Love,
Wendy
Doug Gallager
September 18, 2013
Dear Friend Ellen,
I was so sorry to hear of George's death. Celia and I send our prayers and thoughts of concern and healing.
Alyson Jacks
September 18, 2013
Dear Ellen,
I am so sorry for your loss. I send my prayers to you and your family.
Henry Frisch
September 18, 2013
Dear Ellen and family,
I"m deeply saddened by this. I first met George in the freshmen dining hall at Harvard in 1962, and immediately liked and admired him. We shared a love of many things- physics, skiing, sailing, and some indefinable set of values that may have grown out of our common experiences with physics, Harvard, and MIT, but felt much more innate. He was a wonderful person as well as colleague.
George was never far out of my mind- he represented so many of the attributes I value, and was woven into so many of my memories. I will miss him deeply.
Henry
September 18, 2013
Ellen: We love you, and along with all his friends and family will miss George deeply. Rusty & David
Curtis White
September 18, 2013
I am so saddened to hear of George's passing. I enjoyed George's navigation talks, Bowditch research, and especially his Plotting of Friendship voyages. I so looked forward to working with him on future projects and will miss his enthusiasm. I will especially miss all the knowledge he was willing to share.
September 17, 2013
Dear Ellen:
You and your family are much in my thoughts. I am holding all of you in the Light as you go through these difficult days. Hold tight to one another. Know many of us are supporting you in the ways we can from a distance.
Jim Hobart
Kevin Black
September 17, 2013
Ellen - I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about this news today. I worked for George as a post-doc in the years leading to his retirement in 2008. He was an excellent mentor and physicist and more importantly an amazing and great human being. He was one of the few people i can point to as strong and important mentors in my career and i am deeply saddened and in disbelief about this news about such a vibrant soul. Condolences for your loss and for the loss to so many of the lives he touched.
September 17, 2013
Oh Ellen, I am so sorry to hear of this. My arm around your shoulder all the way from Columbus. Mark B.
Laila Ibrahim
September 17, 2013
Ellen, I am so sorry for your loss. What a enormous shift in your life. I wish blessings and release for George.
Laila Ibrahim
Seth Mascolo
September 17, 2013
My condolences to Ellen. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
Hope Johnson
September 17, 2013
Dear Ellen: I recall how you both hosted me so royally at the last UURMaPA gathering I attended as the UUMA Board rep. My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to you and family at this difficult time. Yours, Hope (Hope Johnson)
Ted Trainer
September 17, 2013
George was a stern but caring mentor for a beginner singer. I will miss him dearly.
Ted Trainer
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