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Stephen Jasperson Obituary

Jasperson, Stephen Newell

Stephen Newell Jasperson, age 75, of Plymouth, MN, formerly of Holden, MA, passed away on October 5th, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born May 10, 1941, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Newell and Helen Jasperson. He grew up on the family cranberry marsh, Whittlesey Cranberry. Growing up on the marsh cultivated a sense of curiosity and a love of freedom and exploration that continued throughout his life. Steve attended a two-room schoolhouse in grade school and was valedictorian of his class at John Edwards High School in Port Edwards. In 1963 he earned his BS degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. It was at the university that he met his wife, Ann. They were married August 7, 1965. Steve continued his education at Princeton University, where he earned his MS and PhD degrees in physics. He completed post-doctoral research at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana before joining the physics department faculty at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA.

Steve was a physics professor at WPI for 39 years. He served as chair of the physics department for 10 years and as Secretary of the Faculty. In 2001 he received the WPI Board of Trustees' Award for Outstanding Teaching. His research interests focused on solid state physics. His work took his family across the country to spend many summers at NAWS China Lake, CA. He spent a sabbatical at MIT's Magnet Lab, Cambridge, MA. Teaching was his true passion and during his last sabbatical, he developed a new course on astrophysics. He also taught courses on the universe and speech and sound to senior citizens who shared his interests through the WISE (Worcester Institute for Senior Education) program.

Steve was an accomplished pianist. He also sang low bass in the Worcester Chorus for 38 years. Through the chorus, Steve served as president and traveled with Ann on many international tours to Mexico and Europe. Steve was active in the Unitarian Church of Worcester for 42 years.

Steve enjoyed running, hiking, and backpacking. He ran with the WPI Footpounders, a lunch-time running group, and enjoyed competing in hash races around the Worcester area. During his California research trips, the Sierra Nevada wilderness became a favorite area to hike and backpack. Steve climbed Mt. Whitney in California four times by three different routes. He made his last Mt. Whitney climb with family and friends to mark his 60th birthday. More recently, he enjoyed cycling on his recumbent trike, sometimes riding with the Pedal and Roll group in Minnesota.

Steve loved planning outdoor adventures and traveling cross-country with his wife and two daughters. There were many summer trips to national parks in all regions of the country as well as excursions to Mt. Desert Island, Maine, often stopping at a waterpark along the way. Through their cross-country drives, Steve and his family were able to visit almost every state in the continental United States, sampling a wide array of contenders in the search for the best chocolate malt in America. Steve's favorite activities in retirement were spending time with his grandkids, going on bike rides, putting up a tent, or enjoying family fun in northern Minnesota. Steve also treasured visits home to Cranmoor and the marsh to spend time with family.

In 2012 Steve and Ann moved to Plymouth, MN to be near family after he was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). In the face of many health challenges, Steve lived his life with courage, determination, and humor. He has been an inspiration to all around him through his perpetual curiosity, his efforts to learn new things, and his appreciation for life. Proud of his cranberry heritage, Steve was able to share cranberry growing and marsh history with the Trillium Woods community when his dad Newell and nephew Robert gave a memorable presentation there in August.

He will be missed by his wife of 51 years, Ann (Eckstein); daughters, Amy (Mike) Emsley and Laurie (Steven) Kovalik; grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Kovalik; father, Newell Jasperson; brother, Bill (Susie) Jasperson; sister, Jo Ann (Guy) Detlefsen; nephew, Robert (Lisl) Detlefsen, children Jasper and Wesley; niece, Kristen (Paul) Henslin, children Natalie and Brycen; and other extended family members, colleagues, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen (Hernlem) Jasperson and sister-in-law Kathleen Jasperson.

The family is grateful for the support of doctors, nurses, and staff at the Struther's Parkinson Center. They especially are appreciative of the staffs of The Birches Health Center at Trillium Woods and Park Nicollet Hospice for their dedicated care. Visitation will be held at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel at 15800 37th Avenue N in Plymouth on Saturday, October 15th, at 1:30 pm, with a Reflection Service at 2:30 pm. A celebration of Steve's life will be held at the cranberry marsh Whittlesey Warehouse at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to the Jasperson Legacy Fund at CurePSP (www.curepsp.org/jasperson) or mailed to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Timonium, MD, 21093.

It was a real inspiration to meet Steve and to see the powerful life force exhibited in the face of this devastating disease. I can just imagine how brilliant and dynamic Steve was prior to the onset of PSP; his wit and humor showed through in his gestures and the twinkle in his eyes even though he couldn't verbally express himself. We look forward to staying involved with your inspirational family and being motivated and energized by your example.

David Kemp, President

CurePSP

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

Published by Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune on Oct. 14, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Jasperson

Sponsored by Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels - Robbinsdale Chapel.

Not sure what to say?





James Demetry

October 28, 2016

Dear Ann, Amy, Laurie,
Sue, I, and my daughters were saddened to learn of Steve's passing. We have fond memories of him as we shared travels, singing in the Chorus, repairing things at the UU Church,faculty governance activities, and many others over the years. We will always remember his humor, his sense of calm, his willingness to pitch in and make order out of chaos - - fruit deliveries and staging the chorus, especially come to mind. He was a good person, colleague, and friend.

Jim and Sue

Kathy McKee

October 17, 2016

My husband and I knew Steve and Ann as members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Worcester. We always enjoyed his wonderful voice in the choir. We didn't know Steve very well, but always got a smile and a handshake when we saw each other at church. I would like to say how sorry I am that Steve was a victim of such a devastating disease as PSP. My sister,Mary Lou died a year and a half ago from PSP. It stripped everything from her .... my heart goes out to the victim, family and friends who are affected by this disease. My prayers and good thoughts go to you.

Sincerely,
Kathy McKee

Yvonne Pelayo

October 16, 2016

We are so sorry for your loss and we are sending prayers of warmth, comfort and strength your way.

Joe & Yvonne Pelayo
San Antonio, TX

Leo and Sue Thomasgard

October 15, 2016

We are so sorry for your loss. What a full
and inspiring life Steve lead. We hope you can draw strength and comfort from the many wonderful memories you have. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Detlefsen and Jasperson families.

October 15, 2016

We are so sorry for your loss. Find comfort in your many memories knowing Steve will be at peace with our Lord...
The Andres...Tom& Emily

Bobbie Chase

October 11, 2016

Nick and I are sorry to learn of his death. He was a sweet person and a talented singer. Our condolences to his family.
From Bobbie Chase

Barbara & Phil Rodrique

October 10, 2016

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Anna Bishop

October 10, 2016

Our deepest sympathies. His was a life well lived. Dan and Anna Bishop, your Hillside Vllage neighbors.

Barbara (Nystrom) Mellor

October 9, 2016

Mrs. Jasperson, Amy, Laurie, & family ~ I was very saddened to hear of Mr. Jasperson's passing. He was a wonderful person. I have many fond memories of him coaching our softball team during my school years, I wish you much peace and lots of love in this difficult time. I will always remember him fondly.

Tony Weiner

October 9, 2016

Professor Jasperson was one of the first professors that I interacted with as a freshman at WPI. I had been taking the first Physics course which was self study (aka IPI) using student tutors and video taped lectures (it was 1974 after all). I went to him and thought they could be better and he challenged me right there to make them myself. And thus my first WPI project was started. With his help and guidance I made several tapes that were then put in rotation in the Gordan Library.

A couple of years later with an idea planted by a WPI graduate whom I had met while skiing I learned that Allan R. Perlman (ARP) a early pioneer of musical Synthesizers was willing to donate several of his state of the art machines to WPI if someone would just ask. So of course I went to Prof. Jasperson, because I had heard he had an interest in music. And he was a receptive ear. And we concocted a plan to get the synthesizers and I believe that was the start of the WPI electronic music lab.

WPI at the time was alive with ideas and like minded professors and staff and in my experience a quiet and unassuming force to be reckoned with.

I am sorry for your loss. But happy to be able to pass on these remembrances.

Tony Weiner '78

Curtis Berggren

October 9, 2016

Dear Ann : My i express my deep sympathies to you and your family. I recall the times we spent on winter week-ends unloading fruit and Steve always had a smile . The trips over-seas with the Worcester chorus. We keep warm memories of passed loved ones close and they may be gone from this life but they are not forgotten .

Bernadette Nelson

October 8, 2016

Dear Ann and Family,

My deepest sympathies to you on the passing of Steve. I miss him still in the Worcester Chorus. He was funny, wity, enthusiastic, curious, and a great bass singer. He was president, he spearheaded concert equipment organization and transport, and humorously eased our nerves with his wity instructions on processing on and off stage. I really enjoyed singing with him and knowing him. May your happy memories help to sustain you.

Brigitte Servatius

October 8, 2016

Steve was a wonderful colleague, always there and willing to talk and able to explain.

My son bought a tent from him and I slept in it on my 60'th birthday hike.

Stephen's memory has a special place in our heart.

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Oct

15

Visitation

1:30 p.m.

Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels - Robbinsdale Chapel

3888 W Broadway Avenue, Robbinsdale, MN 55422

Oct

15

Service

2:30 p.m.

Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels - Robbinsdale Chapel

3888 W Broadway Avenue, Robbinsdale, MN 55422

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Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels - Robbinsdale Chapel

3888 W Broadway Avenue, Robbinsdale, MN 55422

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