Stephen Newell Jasperson

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