Lyle M. Kaufman

1939 - 2017

MERRIMACK – Lyle Milton Grace Kaufman, 78, of Merrimack, NH passed away Sunday, November 5th, 2017, quietly at his home.

Lyle was born November 1st 1939 in Springfield MA, and raised by wonderful and loving parents, Sallee and Jules Kaufman. He graduated from Springfield Tech in 1957 and was a member of the track team. He was an avid collector and builder of electronics as well as a Ham Radio operator, which became a life passion. K1DMU proudly adorned his vanity plates for many years. He was an inventor, and patented the Balun, a type of antenna used to aid in frequency waves.

He joined the Air Force and spent 11 years serving our country before being honorably discharged in 1968. During his service, he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa rising to the rank of sergeant in the 54th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squad. Lyle, along with his father Jules, was a member of the Brotherhood of Masons and wore his Mason ring proudly. He worked for the Air Force Tracking Station in Northern NH for many years, providing operation, control and maintenance to a variety of US Department of Defense satellites. He spent 6 months in Antarctica on a contract basis to provide similar support many years later, speaking of many (mis)adventures during his days spent in perpetual daylight. For a man full of mischief and mirth, which anyone knowing Lyle would agree he was, this was the ultimate adventure.

Lyle is survived by his daughter, Sheralyn Marsh of Canton, CT and his son, Layne Kaufman of Manchester, NH as well as his three grandchildren, of which he was extraordinarily proud, Callahan, Tanner and Ryder Marsh. Lyle is also survived by his sister Karen Diamond, and his brother-in-law Aaron "Biff" Diamond of New York, NY, as well as his two nieces, Allison and Stephanie, both of NYC. Lyle had a special place for Karen and Biff in his heart. Karen was not only his sister, she was truly one of his best friends and the co-subject of most of his "back-in-the-day" stories he so loved to tell his children and nieces. His love for her knew no bounds, and she, like no other, could put that sparkle in his eyes and smirk on his face! He will be missed by many.

Services were held Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at The Massachusetts Veteran's Cemetery at 1390 Main St. in Agawam, MA, where he was buried with full honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the March of Dimes in honor of his mother Sallee's life work (www.marchofdimes.org/donation-form.pdf ) or to the Shriner's Hospital, where his father was Chairman of the Board and Potentate of the Melha Temple (Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104 or call Elvira at (413) 735-1368).