Alexander Vanderburgh Jr.

1928 - 2014

EASTHAMPTON - Alexander Vanderburgh, Jr., 86, of Easthampton, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at Loomis House in Holyoke. He leaves behind a great light of generosity, kindness, humor and gentleness of spirit.

Born Aug. 12, 1928, in Brewster, New York, Alex was the son of Dr. Alexander Vanderburgh and Mrs. Ruth Ferguson Vanderburgh. Some of Alex's most formative years were spent as a young student at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine Choir School in New York City, now known as The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine. Alex graduated from Brewster High School in 1945 and went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating from there in 1949. He spent much of his life in Arlington, before moving to Easthampton in 2005.

Alex leaves behind his daughter Ann S. Vanderburgh and her husband Kelvin Kindahl of Easthampton, daughter Faith V. Gately, her husband John Gately and grandson Cecil Romano of Evanston, Illinois, and son Alexander Vanderburgh, partner Francine Reich and grandson Isaac Reuben Winters-Raff of San Francisco, California. Alex was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Edith W. Vanderburgh, who passed away in 2013. He also leaves behind his devoted family of professional caregivers; of Collective Home Care, Loomis House in Holyoke, and VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, all of whom brought special light and love to Alex's life in his last years. Perhaps most importantly, Alex is survived by his unceasingly loyal companion and guardian, George the Bear.

Alex spent his career working first as an electrical engineer for several organizations, including Sperry Gyroscope and Keydata Corporation. He later moved into education, teaching at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Alex entered the electrical engineering field at the beginning of the computer era, the age of punch cards and large machines. He was involved in Project Whirlwind, the first digital computer capable of displaying real time text and video. He lived to see technological gadgets and machines reduced in size from whole buildings to equipment almost too small to see. Always fascinated by areas of mathematics and physics, Alex was an avid reader of science and astronomy throughout his entire life. In his early retirement years he was a math and physics tutor at local schools and loved to design all kinds of gadgets to illustrate various principles of physics. He leaves behind a good-sized collection of physics experiments and piles of beloved science books.

In addition to his scientific and scholarly interests, Alex possessed a kind and very great heart. Committed to issues of community equity and social justice, Alex was an active and dedicated member of the Friends Meeting at Cambridge, in Cambridge, for many years. He took on many roles in the Quaker community, serving on boards of trustees at both Cambridge Friends School and the Meeting School, and contributing endless amounts of time and energy to the work of the Cambridge Friends community. Always helpful and kind to those in need, Alex gave generously of his time and spirit whenever he heard the call.

Despite encroaching dementia in his later years, Alex always retained a great sense of humor, an upbeat, easygoing outlook and an eternal curiosity about and love for the natural world. He was also able to fuel his lifelong love of music right up to his final moments, serving as the "gongist" at Valley Women's Martial Arts, a role that was intensely meaningful to him. Thanks to the inspiration and generosity of his beloved teacher and friend Janet Aalfs, Alex was able to create wonderful Chinese gong music every week for tai chi class and other special events.

Our family is deeply grateful to Alex's legion of absolutely spectacular and highly competent caregivers – Collective Home Care, Loomis House, and VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, who made it possible for Alex to truly thrive in the face of increasing physical and mental limitations. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Alex's very special friends Janet Sullivan, Brit Collins and Ross Bassett, who always brought light and joy to his day. Happiest when in the friendly company of others, with the help of all of his devoted caregivers and friends Alex was able to enjoy some truly hilarious and fun-filled adventures in his final years. He leaves us with a lightness of spirit and a wealth of fond memories.

A gathering in Alex's honor will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. at the Manhan Café, 88 Cottage St., Easthampton, at which many funny stories will be told.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alex's name to Valley Women's Martial Arts, P.O. Box 1064, Easthampton, MA 01027, and to Friends Meeting at Cambridge, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge MA 02138.

The O'Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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