1929 - 2022
Anthony "Tony" Gervin Oettinger

Harvard Professor of Applied Mathematics and Holocaust survivor, died July 26, 2022, in Newton, Massachusetts at age 93.

Born in 1929 in Nuremberg, Germany, he was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and Harvard University, and a pioneer in computer science and artificial intelligence. In recognition of his work in the national security community, the United States government created, in 2010, the Anthony G. Oettinger School of Science and Technology Intelligence of the National Intelligence University.

He was known for coining the phrase "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana" to explain the difficulty in automatic language translation.

In 1973 he co-founded, with colleague John Legates, the Program on Information Resources Policy at Harvard.

In the White House, he was a consultant to the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (1981-90), the National Security Council (1975-81) – for which he received a commendation letter in 1977 from President Gerald Ford – and the Office of Science and Technology (1961-73).

Tony was a member of the National Defense Intelligence College Board of Visitors starting in 1987 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 2010. He was a recipient of the Defense Intelligence Director's Award, as well as an honorary Doctorate of Strategic Intelligence.

From 1963 to 1967, he was an adviser to NASA's Apollo moon-landing program. He founded the Computer Science and Engineering Board of the National Academy of Sciences and chaired it from 1967 to 1973. From 1966 to 1968 he was president of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

With the rise of Hitler, the Oettinger family left Germany in 1933, to live in Strasbourg, France. After the invasion of France in 1940, the family traveled across Europe to Portugal before emigrating to New York City in 1941. He lived in Belmont, MA for over 50 years before moving to Newton, MA.

Tony was the beloved husband for 68 years of Marilyn Tanner Oettinger. He was the loving and proud father of Douglas Oettinger (wife Simone), and Marjorie Oettinger. Tony was also the cherished grandfather of Mariel and Daphne Oettinger, and Isaac, Mika and Tessa Struhl.

Beyond his family he touched and enriched the lives of his students, colleagues, friends and community. He will be deeply missed.

Services were held at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. Remembrances may be made to HIAS – "Welcome the stranger. Protect the refugee". www.hias.org, notifying the family at [email protected]

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

Published by New York Times from Aug. 8 to Aug. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Oettinger

10 Entries

LTG Patrick M. Hughes, US Army (Retired)

August 2, 2024

Every time I read a learned paper about adaptive neural networks, artificial intelligence, and transformative science; I think of Dr. Oettinger. When I do think of him, my estimation of his loss for all of us grows (exponentially). The 'Wunderkind' of today do not give him enough credit for laying the foundational thought and the prescient insight his work provided. As those of us who were fortunate enough to associate with him -- notably in the context of national security -- know, he was a rare example of the alchemy of a magnificent mind, defining life experiences, and commitment to fundamental values which we so sorely need now. I'm sure the hosts of heaven are glad to have him, but God knows they need to send replacement(s) to those of us still left on #3. Missing him is axiomatic.

LTG Patrick M Hughes USA ret

November 1, 2022

Dr. Tony Oettinger was a true "American" patriot. Some of what he did is not in his biography nor is it in his obituary, but it is in "our" memory and in the official record of his work on behalf of our nation. It was my good fortune to know and associate with him and to admire his intellect and his insight. He should be counted among those who serve quietly but importantly in the work of intelligence in support of our national security and the preservation of the freedoms we enjoy. I offer my final salute to a "brave soldier of high intellect and determined judgement -- who did the right things for the right reasons." See you at the next rally point Dr. Oettinger. Montana 6 out!

Paul J Berman

October 21, 2022

Doug,
I had the extremely good forture of having your Dad as an advisor during my undergraduate years, a co-author during my time in law school, and then serving on the Board of his Program on Information Resources Policy. I it hard for me to put into words what a profound effect he had on my education and my life. Time and again he guided me to see and appreciate the bigger picture, no matter what the issue. I am saddened by his passing, and wish you as much comfort as you can gain from knowing how many lives he influenced so much for the better. Please convey my condolences and sense of shared loss to your mother. Thank you,
Paul Berman

Howard Richard Moskowitz

October 14, 2022

I'm sorry that we never met, and never got to work together. You were instrumental in my coming to Harvard as a graduate student in experimental psychology, in 1965. I will always remember reading your paper 'Teaching the EDSAC to go shopping', in George Miller's edited 1964 book, Mathematics and Psychology. RIP. Howard R Moskowitz (PhD, Harvard Psychology, 1969)

A. Denis Clift

August 17, 2022

So deeply admired, treasured friend, distinguished career.

Louise Weber and Howard Granowitz

August 15, 2022

To Marilyn and the Oettinger family: We are so sorry to learn of Tony's death and extend our sympathies to all. From our two decades of living next door, we remember Tony well as a kind and friendly neighbor, and an unassuming and down-to-earth gentleman. May his memory be a blessing. Our very best wishes - Louise and Howard, and Tom and Lily, Marblehead, MA

Peter Shapiro

August 14, 2022

Tony took a chance on me back in the early 1970s when I was hired as a research fellow in his Harvard program (PIRP), and then got me into my next job as a consultant at ADLittle. He was a friend and mentor, a true gentleman and scholar. Plus he was always entertaining, and a source of great stories, well told. Thank you, Tony!

Howard Gordon

August 12, 2022

The Oettingers lived two houses up from our house on Elizabeth Rd, where I grew up. I remember when you moved in!
Dr. Oettinger was such a classy man, all the way.
My sincere condolences, Howie Gordon

Marjorie Gordon Albin

August 11, 2022

I am so sorry to hear of your dad's death. You and your family were our long time and wonderful neighbors on Elizabeth Road. Please wish your lovely mom all my thoughts and prayers and may your dad's memory always be a blessing. Marge

Jean Rossner

August 9, 2022

My sincere condolences to the family, from a long-ago acquaintance of Doug Oettinger who happened upon the obit through a different connection. Dr. Anthony Oettinger sounds like an amazing person, and I wish I'd known him.

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