Rolf Glasfeld, 86, of Mystic died Friday, April 21, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth (Liz), their five children; Arthur, Michael, Emily, Elizabeth and Andrew and five grandchildren, all above average.
Rolf was born on February 15, 1931 in Berlin, Germany, and with his parents Arthur and Lucie Glasfeld emigrated to Ecuador in 1938. He had good memories of growing up on the jungle plantation that his parents started and ran for several years. The family moved to Los Angeles in time for Rolf to start college. He earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in Engineering at UCLA and then went on to the University of California at Berkeley to eventually earn a Doctorate of Engineering in Naval Architecture. At Berkeley he had the great good fortune to meet and marry Elizabeth. Rolf also worked at the University as a Research Engineer and Lecturer while pursuing his degree. In 1968 Dr. Glasfeld came East to work at the Quincy Shipbuilding Division of General Dynamics, where for many years he was Manager of Advance Engineering, the group responsible for the preliminary design of the commercial ships built there. With the closure of that shipyard in 1985 he transferred to Electric Boat, from where he retired in 1993 as Chief Engineer, Naval Architecture.
Rolf was always very happy with his choice of profession, enjoying its many challenges and the opportunity to work with so many talented people. Until his retirement Rolf was an active member of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
Rolf enjoyed fooling around in his shop and traveling; he left no "bucket list", having always pretty much done what appealed to him and the family at the earliest opportunity. Several rafting trips and kayak adventures were fond memories, as were the many trips to Death Valley, Rolf and Liz's favorite destination.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Mystic and Noank Library.
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