In Memoriam: Nelson L. Alpert

From Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home.

Nelson L. Alpert, 90, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on February 12, at Stamford Hospital, following complications from pneumonia.

Nelson was born in New Haven, on June 14, 1925.

He attended New Haven public schools and Yale University on a City of New Haven Scholarship, graduating with the Class of 1945W. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from M.I.T. in 1948 and started his career as a physics professor at Rutgers University.

He developed several patents while employed by Perkin Elmer Corporation, in Norwalk, and published two books, as co-author, focused on infrared spectroscopy (his sub-specialty). Later in his career, Nelson served as an expert consultant in the field of medical and clinical applications of infrared spectrophotometric instruments.

Nelson is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Ruth Sachs Alpert; his children, Stephen Alpert (Jane) and Nancy Halpert (Marc), and his grandchildren, Sarah, Benjamin, Dan and Jenny.

Nelson was known for his eternally optimistic good humor and sunny disposition, his keen intellect, and his love of music, reading (particularly The New Yorker magazine), writing and science. He was devoted to his nieces, nephews and grandchildren. A day was never complete for Nelson without consuming a bar (at least) of dark chocolate, and guests to his 90th birthday celebration were requested to contribute a bar of dark chocolate as his gift.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 14, at 11 a.m., at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford.

His warm, cheerful personality will be missed by family and friends.

Contributions in memory of Nelson may be made to Temple Beth El and the Senior Men’s Club at the Stamford Jewish Community Center, 1035 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT 06905.

Arrangements under the direction of Shippan’s Thomas M Gallagher Funeral Home.

To sign the on-line guest book, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com.