THOMAS H. EINSTEIN

1933 - 2022

EINSTEIN, Thomas H. Died peacefully at home in Lexington, MA, on December 12, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife, Helen, and the well-wishes of his family and his many friends. Tom's was a life of languages, logic, numerical concepts, travel, handy-man projects, a love of his family, and an insatiable curiosity for most anything that "made sense." He had a keen mind and was happy to share his knowledge with anyone, whether about Finland or Funerals, economics or engineering, coal gasification, or the power of history. Tom was born Helmut Stefan Einstein in Berlin, Germany, on January 20, 1933, only 10 days before Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor. The war would have a profound impact on his childhood. In 1938, for fear of their son's safety, Tom's parents sent him alone to England where he attended the New Herrlingen School with other refugee children. In November of 1939, Albert Einstein signed an affidavit that allowed Tom's family to immigrate to the United States. He arrived in New York City shortly thereafter, where he was reunited with family. After graduating from high school in Manchester, NH, Tom attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and then the University of New Hampshire. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy, and later obtained a Ph.D. in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was highly respected in his career as a systems analyst at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and later at Mercury Computer Systems and at Atlantic Aerospace. Many of his lifelong friends evolved from these professional relationships. Tom's two greatest loves were for his wife, Helen, and his four children from his earlier marriage to Ellen B. Einstein (1929-2021). His children were a constant source of pride for him, and his wish was that each would find happiness in who they are. Tom and Helen married in 1985. They traveled extensively, and particularly loved their trips to Hawaii, Damariscotta, ME; Salt Spring Island, Vancouver; and Finland. They also spent time reuniting with Tom's relatives in Germany. At home they together created a gathering space for the people in their lives, their circle was wide and diverse. Helen supported and cared for Tom until the very end. Tom is survived by Helen; his four children, David (Hollis, NH), Ruth (Montpelier, VT), Karen (Lexington, MA), and Daniel (Olympia, WA), and their partners, Sara, Laura and Bryan; three grandchildren, Jedediah, Lauren, and Violet; and by his large community of friends. A Memorial Service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bedford, MA. It was Tom's wish that his family and wide circle of friends, many of whom did not know one another, meet and unite in his memory.

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