Obituaries and memorials of interest to our community can be submitted to webmaster@decconnection.org. 

***************July 16, 2010*********************************

Suzanne Skinner and David Gretton sadly report the recent death of David B. Cotton.  Dave had a long Digital career in Engineering Product Management, including Terminals Engineering for LA3x family printers and VIPS (Video, Imaging and Printing Systems). He was a very kind person who will be remembered fondly by friends and associates, many of whom he mentored during their careers at Digital. Click for obituary.

***************July 2, 2010*********************************

Friends of John P. Shanklin, who worked in Colorado Springs, report that he has passed away. John worked in the Engineering Operations Group for many years at Digital. He is survived by his wife "Cookie" and two daughters.  The family suggests that donations be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Link to obituary.

***************June 25, 2010*********************************

Dave Price reported the sad news that Roy Shiderly, who was a marketing manager for Ultrix in the Systems Software Base Product Marketing Group (SSGBPM), has died.  Link to the obituary.

***************June 11, 2010*********************************

Friends of Elizabeth Ridder, who worked in Colorado Springs, report that she passed away from cancer on June 11. She is survived by her husband Hans Ridder and 2 girls, Isabelle and Margaret. To extend your condolences to the Ridder family their address is 7906 172nd Place N.E., Redmond, WA 98052  -- Tammy Sandefur

***************May 21, 2010*********************************

Jacqueline Jackson, former Occupational Nurse at the Woburn facility in the 80’s died after a long illness on 5/21. She was a dear friend and will be missed.  -- Barbara Coleman Menefee

***************May 18, 2010*********************************

Friends of Bertha Williams, who worked on the RL line in Colorado Springs, report that she has passed away.

***************April 24, 2010*********************************

Reported by Ron Slayton: Nan(nette) Andrews Amish passed away on April 24, at the age of 58, after contracting pneumonia. Nan was born in Rochester NY and lived in El Granada CA for 11 years before moving to Half Moon Bay CA. She is survived by her sister, Roberta Guild and nephews, David and Daniel Guild. She will be missed by many friends on both coasts. Nan was a graduate of Brighton High School, Michigan State (BA) and The University of Michigan (MBA). She was a business speaker, teacher and consultant for over twenty years, and was past president of a chapter of the American Marketing Association, founder of the Nandrews Group, and active in the National Speakers Association. She taught at the University of San Francisco, Boston University and for the US military. In lieu of flowers, Nan requested that people send donations in her name to Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem MA 01970.

****************April 23, 2010*********************************

Vic Valente and Dave Gretton report the passing of their friend, Steve Anderson (Stephen Gary Anderson), on April 23 after battling with stomach cancer.  Steve used to work in Jim Melvin’s group supporting the Far East manufacturing folks.  Link to obituary.

****************April 21, 2010*********************************

Sam Duncan sent in an obituary of his friend John H. Hackenburg.  John was an electrical engineer who worked for Digital for 25 years. 

Link to obituary.

****************April 7, 2010*********************************

Bill Barrows of Colorado Springs has passed away.  He was in Security/Locksmith. Our condolences to his family and many friends friends from CXO.

His obituary can be viewed at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=william-barrows&pid=141426435

****************February 7, 2010*********************************

John Francis Mucci, of Bolton and Stow MA, and of LDP and GSG while at Digital, passed away on February 7, 2010 at the age of 68. John was a charismatic, energetic, and brilliant man who will be missed by his two sons, Philip and David, Evelyn Neuberger (his partner since 2001), sister Germaine Dietz, brother Robert, and many friends and extended family.  He was predeceased by his wife Patricia in 2000.  Please see full obituary for memorial donation suggestions.  Link to full obituary from the Stow Independent. Career Summary: John graduated from Penn State and earned a PhD in high-energy physics from Carnegie Mellon.  Shortly after he did post-doctoral work at Brookhaven National Lab. He joined DEC in 1967 as an engineer and moved to marketing in Laboratory Data Products and managing the Government Systems Group. Following his Digital career, in 1986, John joined the startup Thinking Machines in Cambridge MA and served as VP of Sales, Marketing and Technical Research.  He left in 1993 to form a new company, Continuum Software, serving the high-end technical computing market in business and web analytics.  He then co-founded SiCortex, the first green supercomputer company.

****************January 23, 2010*********************************

Carol Hymes wrote to tell us of the passing of her husband Bob Hymes.  Robert E. Hymes, 66 of Venice, FL and Acton, MA died January 23, 2010.  He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol Hymes; a daughter, Diane Matuzak and her husband John; a son, David Hymes and his wife Jennifer; a brother, James Hymes; and three loving granddaughters.  Bob worked in sales at ATG. He enjoyed his job and cared for those with whom he worked. He wanted to be remembered as a good father, good grandfather, and a good friend. He loved to cook and spend time with friends and family. He was loved deeply and will be missed dearly.  Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association.

****************November 13, 2009**************************************

Jim Higgins wrote to tell us of the passing of DECconnection member and friend, David W. Starratt.  Dave Starratt was a business unit manager at DEC, where he worked for 23 years (1969-1992). In 1995 he formed and directed Spatris Communications. Dave passed away from leukemia in MA in the fall of 2009. His quick wit and wry sense of humor will be missed. He had requested no obituary and no memorial service.

**************** November 10, 2009 ***********************************

Mark Lawrence and Rob Stubblefield of the CXO community reported the untimely passing of Phil Precord, as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic motorcycle accident.  Phil was a member of the GSC Storage ProActive team at HP's Rio Rancho Temporary site in Albuquerque. He leaves behind his wife Sherry, who is also employed at HP, as well as a son and a daughter. We offer our deepest condolences to Sherry and her family, and to Phil's CXO and Albuquerque HP friends, during this difficult time.

***********************October 11, 2009*********************************

OSSIPEE -- Dieter Vogelsang, 65, died Oct. 11, 2009, at his home after a brief illness with his family at his side. He was born in Platendorf, Germany, Jan. 30, 1944, to Martin and Ellen (Teffel) Vogelsang. As a young man, he moved to United States and settled in Hudson for many years before retiring to Ossipee. He owned and operated New Hampshire Precision in Nashua until pursuing his career in engineering at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he worked for 25 years.He enjoyed hunting, woodworking and spending time at home with his family, friends and pets. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who was cherished by his family.Members of his family, in addition to his mother of Westford, Mass., include his beloved wife of 39 years, Michelle (Beaulieu) Vogelsang of Ossipee; a son, Keith Vogelsang of Derry; a daughter, Christina Vogelsang of Ossipee; a granddaughter; a brother, George Vogelsang of Westford, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

************* September 17, 2009 *************************************

Jim McCarthy reports that John Forde of Sudbury, former MicroVAX and Storage Systems Product Manager, passed away on September 17, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. Survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Sharon of Sudbury and his son Christopher of Jacksonville, Fla. Naval Air Base. John was a graduate of Boston College and was a Navy helicopter combat Search and Rescue pilot in Squadron HC-7 in Vietnam. He worked for Digital Equipment for 23 years. Donations in memory of John may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Prostate Research, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445.   Link to obituary in Boston Globe.

************* September 14, 2009 *************************************

Sharon Saegesser wrote to tell us about the passing of her husband, Mickey, member of the original Digital Retirees Association.

Mickey L. Saegesser, 67, passed away on Monday evening, September 14, 2009, at Renaissance Rehabilitation Center in Muncie. He was born December 7, 1941 in Shumway IL, the son of Charles and Lillian (Beals) Saegesser. Mickey married Sharon (Shepard) Saegesser, on June 20, 1965, in Christopher, IL. Mr. Saegesser was a veteran of the United States Navy serving his country from 1959-1962 and worked for a NASA contractor at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas during the Apollo moon missions. He took an early retirement from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1992 after an eighteen year career and then worked for various computer software companies until taking full retirement in 2001.  After retiring, he and his wife achieved their goal of visiting all 50 states, getting their final state, Alaska, in June of this year. He was a member of Union Chapel and enjoyed volunteering his time for church activities, including printing and preparing bulletins, working with the car repair group, and helping with maintenance and repair projects. He also enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his grandchildren. Mickey was an avid do-it-yourselfer and was known to be able to fix anything that was broken. Family always said that he could have put Humpty Dumpty back together again had he been given the chance. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; two sons, Marc (wife Vivian) Saegesser of West Chicago, Illinois and grandsons Zachary and Joshua, Brad (wife Jodie) Saegesser of Tawas City, Michigan; one daughter, Susan Allen (husband Paul) of Muncie, Indiana and three granddaughters, Reagan, Bailee, and Samantha; two brothers, Terry (wife Anne) Saegesser of Holiday Island, Arkansas; and Rick Saegesser of Joppatown, Maryland; and two sisters, Doris (husband Raymond) Smith of Enid, Oklahoma, and Alberta Saegesser of Shumway, Illinois. Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association of Indiana at 6525 East 82nd Street, Suite 115, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or on-line http://www.alsa.org/donate/.

************* July 24, 2009 *************************************

We are sad to report the death of Andy Knowles, former VP of Digital's Components Group, from complications following heart surgery, on July 24th.  Link to Boston Globe obituary.

**************** July 11, 2009 *************************************

Jamie Lianides wrote: My mom, Jennie Lianides, who worked for Digital for a good many years, passed away on July 11, 2009.   Link to Worcester Telegram obituary.  Jennie was a DEC Connection member.  Condolences may be sent to Jamie at jamie.lianides@gmail.com.

**************** July 8, 2009 *************************************

Cole C. (ccsquared2@netzero.net) wrote to inform the group of the death of Dick Straight. Dick worked for many years in the Hardware Support group at CXO3 in Colorado Springs.  Funeral was July 9th.

**************** May 31, 2009 *************************************

Rob Stubblefield reported the sad news of the sudden death of one of the Colorado Springs alums, Sam Walter, who had just attended the CXO annual reunion on 24 April.  Sam is 2nd from left in this reunion photo.

Samuel R. Walter passed away on Friday, May 29, 2009, after a short illness. He was born to Wayne and Angel Walter in Kearney, NE, on January 21, 1946 and spent most of his formative years in Pueblo, CO. He served 4½ years in the U.S. Air Force before starting his college career at the University of Northern Colorado where he earned a B.S. in mathematics. He then taught high school in Morenci, AZ, for 3 years before returning to Colorado to obtain an M.A. in mathematics from Colorado State University. He spent his professional career working for several companies and retired from Quantum Inc as a senior data base administrator in 2008. Sam is survived by his wife, Anita, his son, Christopher (Renae), his daughter, Lindsey (Shawn), and grandsons Joshua and Silas. Sam loved spending time at the cabin, riding dirt bikes and teaching others how to ride. At home, he could be found in his shop building everything from entertainment centers to cradles.

**************** May 11, 2009 *************************************

After battling pulmonary fibrosis, Al Avery, Equinix co-founder and co-inventor of the neutral Internet exchange, has passed away. Avery passed on peacefully with his family at his side. His work at Equinix helped the Internet grow, and make the data center operating company home to the mission-critical infrastructure of more than 2,300 customers today. Avery retired from Equinix in 2003, and had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and had recently received a lung transplant.   Avery and Jay Adelson started Equinix in 1998 while working together as facilities managers at Digital Equipment Corporation, where they developed the idea for a neutral Internet exchange - a physical place for networks to exchange critical information. In the basement of the research and development department, they came up with plans that would later become the Palo Alto Internet Exchange or PAIX. In creating Equinix, Adelson and Avery brought together several guiding principles - equality, neutrality, and "eliminating the middleman." Their business vision was to pair major networks with interconnect content companies in data centers built not just for co-location but for exchanging traffic. Submitted by Maria Lombardo on 5/15/09.

**************** May 11, 2009 *************************************

James MIKE Holland died September 3, 2008. He started in Maynard with Al Bissel's group, then went out to Colorado Springs, CXO. He had a passion for Digital that stayed with him even after lay offs. He respected Ken Olson when he was pulling cable with rest of them during a big show in Boston. -- sent in by Mike's wife, Cheryl Holland, swmboo@msn.com, 5/11/09.

**************** March 29, 2009 *************************************

Joanne Jacobs and Ed Jaferian sent note about passing of Dennis Burke, who worked in Commercial Business and left Digital in 1980. Dennis Burke: After several years of living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Dennis died peacefully at home, Sunday night, March 29th, with his family gathered around his bedside, in Ross, CA.  The Burkes (Patty, Peter, Paul, Amy and Jesse). 

**************** March 29, 2009 *************************************

Sent by husband Edward Steinfeld: Betty A. Steinfeld, 70, of Westford, Mass., died March 29, 2009 at home, surrounded by her family. A graduate of Morningside College, she spent much of her career editing technical publications for Digital Equipment Corp. and her daughter's publishing company, and was an award-winning indexer. She lived for many years in Westford, Mass. She was born in Whiting, Iowa, to Elsie (Merritt) and Archie Stubblefield. Family members include her husband of 45 years, Edward; daughter, Carol and her spouse Daniel Harper of New Bedford, Mass.; and her sisters, Bonnie Ahmann of Montgomery, Ala. and Rose Mather of Yankton, S.D.; as well as nephews and nieces. Info: Carol Steinfeld, 978-760-0034, or carol@carol-steinfeld.com.

**************** March 2, 2009 *************************************

We are saddened to report that Aulikki (Mrs. Ken) Olsen passed away on March 2, 2009. The DEC Connection has sent condolences to the family, from our members.  Link to Mass High Tech obituary report.

Eeva-Liisa Aulikki Olsen, 84, the wife of Digital Equipment Corp. co-founder and long-time president Kenneth Olsen, died earlier this week, according to published reports.

Most of the time, Alulikki kept her distance from the business. But that doesn’t mean her behind-the-scenes role was unimportant. For instance, when Olsen sought startup funding from American Research & Development, the nation’s pioneer venture fund, General Doriot, its president, insisted on meeting Olsen’s wife — to take the measure of the couple and ascertain whether she would support an entrepreneur bent on challenging the computer industry.

Aulikki reportedly charmed the general and his key associate, Dorothy Rowe, helping to cement a cordial friendship that lasted another 30 years. And, according to the authors of The Ultimate Entrepreneur, a book which profiled Olsen and Digital at their peak, in the late 1980s, Olsen pursued his future wife, Eeva-Lissa Aulikki Valve, a Finnish exchange student he had first met through a mutual friend, with the same determination he later brought to building the second largest computer company in the world. Despite the brevity of their acquaintance while Aulikki was in the U.S., Olsen put his graduate school work on MIT’s Whirlwind computer aside long enough to fly to Europe and track down and court Aulikki. Olsen had to support himself by working in a Swedish ball bearing factory and then, when the two decided to marry, he had to get special permission from the State Department because of Finland’s ambiguous position in the cosmology of the cold war. They were married on Dec. 12, 1950, with Aulikki’s father, a Lutheran minister, officiating.

The two were married for 59 years had three sons, one of whom predeceased her. According to the obituary In the Indianapolis Star, she was born on Sept. 1, 1924, in Lahti, Finland, the daughter of Juho and Hilja Valve. She was a member of the Lotta Svaard, the women’s auxiliary of the Finnish Army in the 1939 Winter War with the Soviet Union. She later attended Valparaiso University. She died on March 2.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. March 21 in Zionsville Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Project Mercy, 7011 Ardmore Avenue, Fort Wayne, Ind., 46809. Arrangements by Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center, Zionsville, Ind. Condolences may be sent to: www.flannerbuchanan.com.

**************** December 12, 2008 *************************************

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Clarence N. (Nick) Ruse of Cape Canaveral, and formerly of Rye, N.H., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. He is survived by his spouse, Sharon (Curtin) Ruse; son Kevin Patrick Ruse and his wife, Jessica; and grandson Connor Nicholas Ruse. The family appreciates the loving support of friends and family. There will be no services at Mr. Ruse's request.

**************** December 10, 2008 *************************************

Irwin (Jake) Jacobs:  Irwin "Jake" Jacobs, 71 passed away on the morning of December 10, 2008 at home in Naples with his wife Joanne by his side.  Under the wonderful care of AVOW Hospice, Jake lost his third and final battle with cancer.  Jake was born in Worcester, MA to Matilda (Kraut) and Meyer Jacobs. He is survived by his loving wife, Joanne (Haddad) of Naples, FL and Centerville.

Jake graduated from Classical High School in Worcester MA and Worcester Polytech (WPI) Class of '60 where he received his BS/EE. Jake was active within WPI Alumni and a member of the Alden Society. His generosity continued with Dana Farber Society in Boston for their efforts in his first battle with Non-hodgkins lymphoma in 1988.

Jake worked for many years with Digital Equipment Corporation and resigned as a Senior Vice President in 1982. He held many positions within the high technology industry and retired as President of DataViews Corporation in 1997. He was invited to join the board of Hologic in 1988 and served for 20 years. HOLX has grown in it's wonderful endeavors for women's healthcare and it is a tribute that Jake was very proud to have shared in.

Once Jake retired, his interest turned to music and he decided he would play a "happy instrument" by taking up the banjo at the age of 60. He joined the Marco Island Strummers and the Bonita Village Band and played many wonderful gigs and was instrumental in "marketing" the group while he created another wonderful circle of friends.

A Memorial service will be held on Cape Cod early summer of 2009. Donations in Jake's memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute on line at www.dfci.org - to WPI Alumni foundation at www.wpi.edu - or to AVOW Hospice and the wonderful nurses who helped Jake find his journey home.

**************** November 19, 2008 *************************************

Walter (Wally) Easley: Walter Harold Easley, known as "Wally" to many of his friends, was born on April 22, 1945 and died on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, after a short, but brave fight against lung cancer. He has been a resident of Nashua, N.H., for 25 years. He worked at Control Data Institute, followed by Digital, Hewlett-Packard and most recently at SDI. Obituary and photo from the Nashua Telegraph: http://tinyurl.com/5zusmk

**************** October 30, 2008 *************************************

Penny Smith: I am sorry to say my mother, Priscilla (Penny) Posk Smith of 89 Summer St, Maynard MA passed away September 7th. Working at DEC for over 30 years was a big part of her life, of which she had many fond memories. -- Monica Baker, Templeton MA

(Webmaster: notes of condolence may be sent to her daughter Monica, mlbaker2068 @ comcast.net.)

**************** October 23, 2008 *************************************

Irving Burg: Reported by Jack Richardson and Bob Rennick: I am very sad to have to tell you that Irving Burg passed away yesterday afternoon at Pikes Peak Hospice, after a year-long illness. Irving was the original renting agent and facility manager of The Mill in Maynard when a couple of young engineers came looking for space to start a "digital equipment" company.

When DEC finally bought The Mill, Irving became an employee. He later managed the DEC facility in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Colorado Springs facility until his retirement in 1989, when he was flown to Maynard for his exit interview with Ken Olsen.

He is survived by his wife Marcia, who was the Food Editor of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and a nationally syndicated food columnist for many years before retirement, their sons Elliot and Larry Burg, and grandchildren.

There will be a small graveside service tomorrow, Friday, October 24, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Sons of Israel Cemetery. Following the service, there will be an informal reception at the Burg home. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to me for directions and so that we can make sure there are enough refreshments at the reception.

The family has requested that any donations in Irving's memory be directed to Pikes Peak Hospice. Please pass this on to those who worked at DEC with Irving, or who worked alongside him and Marcia at their many volunteer activities, or who participated with them in their many social and recreational activities. Thanks, Bob Rennick   bob5benj@aol.com, 719-633-2663

**************** August 27, 2008 *************************************

**************** August 18, 2008 *************************************

Sad news reported by Pat Baker about the death of Al LaChance, of Shrewsbury MA from his daughter Melissa:

Dad died late Saturday night very unexpectedly from a massive heart attack. Thanks, Melissa LaChance Bircks

**************** June 18, 2008 *************************************

The HP Connection printed a Tribute to Jim Derby of Hudson MA in their July 27th e-newsletter.  Jim was the executive driver for Ken Olsen and Board Member Dorothy Rowe and managed the Executive Auto Service program and a fleet with 10 drivers.  He was a very popular guy and will be missed by family and friends.

**************** May 31, 2008 *************************************

We just learned of the untimely death of DEC Connection member Dave Symmes on May 31,

from a heart attack.  Dave had recently celebrated his 40th anniversary of service to DEC/HP.

Our condolences to out to his family and many friends.  Click here to read the tribute to Dave from the

26 June 2008 HP New England Initiative e-newsletter.

**************** May 30, 2008 *************************************

Dick Soeldner wrote in to the sad news about two former DEC friends: Two of my former co-workers passed away recently - both former DECcies from years ago:
in April, Marge Krause, worked at the Mill back in the late 50's or early 60's, from complications of cancer;
in May, Jim Goguen, worked at several different DEC locations in (I believe) the 70-80's, from a brain tumor.
 

**************** May 2, 2008 *************************************

Member Paul Coviello wrote in to report the passing of Bill Shively on May 2nd in Concord NH.  Bill had worked in NIO, the Salem NH manufacturing plant, and the old Derry NH plant.

**************** April 15, 2008 *************************************

We were saddened to learn that Richard (Dick) Hustvedt, husband of Audrey Reith (another DECcie), passed away recently.  Dick was one of the premier architects on VAX/VMS with Dave Cutler.  He had a very serious automobile accident in 1984 and had been in re-hab and a nursing home ever since. - Reported by our Board Member Jack Mileski, who also worked with Dick at Scientific Data Systems in the 1970s. 

Here is the Boston Globe obituary:

Richard I. Hustvedt Of Concord, MA, April 15. Beloved husband of Audrey R. Reith. Father of Richard Eric B. Hustvedt of Cambridge & Marc S. Russell Hustvedt of Los Angeles, CA. Brother of David Hustvedt of Boulder, CO. Veteran of the US Army. Mr Hustvedt was a renowned computer software engineer, having been employed by Digital Equipment Corp in Maynard, MA from 1974 onwards. He was one of the original architects & developers of the VAX/VMS Operating System, DEC's flagship product for many years.

A Memorial Service was held in the Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord on July 26, 2008. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice. For obituary & online guestbook visit www.deefuneralhome.com Dee Funeral Home of Concord 978-369-2030 Family Owned Since 1868. Published in the Boston Globe on 4/20/2008.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/obituaries/x544087089/Richard-I-Hustvedt

**************** August 24, 2007 *************************************

**************************  October 4, 2006  **************************