Allan H. Bredenfoerder
1944 - 2018
Allan H. Bredenfoerder
1944 - 2018
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Allan Bredenfoerder Obituary
Born on September 11, 1944 in Mariemont, OH, son of the late Howard W. and Marguerite L. Bredenfoerder. After graduating from Mariemont High School and Wabash College, Crawfordsville IN he went on to earn his master's degree at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.
He met his wife Lin Gaskell while working in a "coffeehouse ministry" in Falmouth MA, they married in 1968.
He taught in the Cincinnati school system at Cincinnati Country Day School; Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA; and Salisbury School, Salisbury, CT. In 2002 he received Berkshire's Seaver Buck Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and was named Senior Master in 2005. He retired after 45 years of teaching but continued to tutor students in math. In his 37 years at Berkshire he taught math, chaired the math department, and coached boys' tennis. He worked with students in the outdoor program clearing trails, hiking, and canoeing. He also taught them to build bridges as well as a replica of Thoreau's cabin and in the early spring he was part of the Maple Syrup squad. He sang in the church choir and the Housatonic barbershop group. He was a member of the Lift & Lunch Crunch Bunch at Berkshire South Community Center. He spent hours in the garden filling it with vegetables because, "you can't eat flowers." He was devoted to his family, especially to his four grandchildren who all benefitted from his calm, steady presence and his ability to help them with their math homework.
He is survived by his wife Lin; son Mark A. Bredenfoerder and wife Mary of Tolland, MA; daughter Karen Blodgett of Great Barrington; grandchildren Samantha and Ryan Bredenfoerder and Connor and Sierra Blodgett.
SERVICE - A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church, 251 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA, May 19th at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Berkshire School, Sheffield MA, the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Great Barrington, MA or The Marfan Foundation c/o FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 who is caring for the arrangements. To send remembrances to his family please visit http://www.finnertyandstevens.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Timur Pakay
May 23, 2018
So sorry for the loss of an amazing teacher, coach, and individual. Mr. Bredenfoerder was at the top of my list of favorite math teachers and helped me excel in Pre-Calculus. He was a determined tennis coach and persevered in helping our team beat local prep school rivals. He will be missed by many from the Berkshire School community. Sending my condolences to the Bredenfoerder family.
Tai Sing Lee
May 19, 2018
I couldnt believe 36 years had passed since I took Mr. Brenderfolders BC calculus class at Berkshire. There were only three of us in the class, Karen, Willard and myself. We were ver close, and we all touched and inspired by Brenderfolders love of teaching, his love of mathematics, his sense of humor and his infectious laughters. The memory was so vivid and so etched in my brain that they were like events yesterday. Life passed in a blink of an eye. Now, as I am teaching my students at Carnegie Mellon, I still take inspiration from Mr. Brenderfolder, his approachability, friendliness, and his love of teaching. We are always indebted to him and miss him. He will live on through all of us. I also remember Mrs. Brenderfolder, so gracious and beautiful. My deepest condolence.
carl villanueva
May 2, 2018
I never knew this man, but his obituary is such a great testament to what a fine person he was. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Pat Bailly
May 2, 2018
Mark and Mary;
Sorry for your loss.. Hope you find comfort from his love for you.
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Avi Farah
May 1, 2018
Dear Ms Lin Bredenfoerder,
I doubt that you remember me. I was your husband's student in the school year 1975-76 at Berkshire. I was a new student from Israel wading through Senior year and was fighting to understand a different culture and use a different language. So, I clasped to what was easiest and that was mathematics. Your husband was teaching the AP calculus class where I was placed.
I set a goal for myself of solving most of the problems at the end of each chapter and needed a lot of extra help. Your husband never refused me. I used to come in the evening hours to your residence for much of the extra help.
When the time came for me to choose a college; I wanted to go to RPI. RPI thought better of it and refused me. Your husband along with Mr Dixon personally vouched for me and RPI changed their mind. At RPI I met my future wife, Peggy, and we are still together.
The book out of which we studied Calculus was by an MIT professor named Thomas. Being fearful that I will not be able to solve the problems on my own after school was over, your husband gave me the teachers' solution book to Thomas as a departing gift.
I had the pleasure of meeting your husband one more time when I visited Berkshire for a reunion a few years after I graduated.
Your husband's memory lives on as a great educator.
Lots of love to you all
Avi Farah
908-240-8110
[email protected]
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426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230
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