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NATHANIEL M. "NAT" ALPERT

NATHANIEL M. "NAT" ALPERT obituary, Cambridge, MA

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NATHANIEL ALPERT Obituary

ALPERT, Nathaniel "Nat" M. Nathaniel "Nat" M. Alpert, Ph.D., from Dedham, MA, passed away suddenly on Monday, December 29, 2025. He was 84. Born on September 16, 1941, in Cambridge, MA to Israel Bailen Alpert and Sara (Fox) Alpert, Nat graduated from Winthrop High School in 1959 and earned three degrees from Northeastern University: BA (1964), MS (1966), and Ph.D. in Physics (1970). Through his 53-year career with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Nat's professional legacy includes pioneering contributions to neuroimaging and positron emission tomography (PET). He took great pride in serving as a trusted colleague and mentor to the next generation of leaders in the medical and scientific fields. Nat's innovative leadership at the Gordon Center for Medical Imaging and the establishment of the Diana S. and Nathaniel M. Alpert Endowed Chair in Radiology support his lasting impact. Nat and Diana S. (Heger) Alpert recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. They especially liked dining, traveling, and supporting their favorite nonprofit organizations. Nat enjoyed taking photos throughout Greater Boston, during nature walks, and while on vacation. He often gifted his framed photographs to family and friends. Nat and Diana instilled their love of education, the arts, and philanthropy in their daughter, Laura. Nat is survived by his wife Diana S. (Heger) Alpert of Dedham, MA; sister Amy S. Alpert of Salem, MA; and daughter Laura B. Alpert of Brookline, MA. A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Mourners are invited to sit shiva with the family on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at NewBridge on the Charles, 5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA 02026. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring the memory of Nathaniel M. Alpert, Ph.D. by donating to: 1. the future Holocaust Museum Boston through the Holocaust Legacy Foundation, 18 Tremont Street, Suite 608, Boston, MA 02108 or online at https://www.holocaustlegacyfoundation.org/donate/ or 2. Project STEP, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or online at https://tinyurl.com/ProjectStepBoston Levine Chapels www.Levinechapels.com 617-277-8300

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

Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 30, 2025 to Jan. 4, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
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Yoann Petibon

December 31, 2025

I am deeply saddened to hear of Nat´s passing. Like so many others whose lives he touched throughout his career at MGH, he had an enormous impact on my development as a scientist. Nat taught me the most essential skill of all: how to think and for that, I am forever indebted to him.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with him and will always fondly remember all our interactions.
Nat was not only a towering figure in PET and an outstanding mentor and scientist, he was above all a kind, thoughtful and very generous human being. A true mensch, as they say. I am sorry that I cannot be there to pay my respects, but I will be here in spirit.
Thinking of Diana and Laura, and all who loved and admired him in these difficult times. May his memory be a blessing. It will certainly be for me.

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Memorial Events
for NATHANIEL ALPERT

Dec

31

Graveside service

12:45 p.m.

Sharon Memorial Park

40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA

Jan

1

Shiva

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

NewBridge on the Charles

5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Levine Chapels

470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

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