Theodore Kirchner

Theodore (Ted) E. Kirchner (88 from Weston, MA) set sail for brighter horizons on January 12, 2021 after a period of declining health.

Ted was born to immigrant parents: Henry W. Kirchner and Margaret (Hollborn) Kirchner, in New York City. Raised in Queens speaking German, Ted commuted to Brooklyn Technical High School, then to Steven’s Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ while living at home. Each evening when he completed his schoolwork he enjoyed a beer with his mom, to whom he was totally dedicated, as they reflected on the day. He would continue this tradition; smuggling a beer into her nursing home nightly 80+ years later. After college Ted served as a C-124 maintenance officer in the Air Force during the Korean War.

After his military service, Ted settled in Long Island where he learned to sail and also joined the Center Ski Club. It was through the club that he not only taught himself to ski, but also made lifetime friendships and met the love of his life, Kathleen O’Hara, with whom he shared 59+ years of marriage. They eloped to Stowe, VT on Christmas Eve of 1961. After their first child, Peggy, was born, Ted was recruited to The Sippican Corporation in Marion, MA. Once in Marion they joined the Beverly Yacht Club and invested in a Pearson Triton 28, called Kathleen, on which Ted took his family on many adventures along the east coast; even up into Canada. Career opportunities took Ted to American Science & Engineering where he met his dearest friend, Paul Burstein. The two of them developed innovative x-ray technologies and space telescopes blasted into the heavens on Skylab and Einstein X-ray Observatory. The career shift also meant a move to Weston, MA where Ted and Kathy built their ski-lodge like home and moved with Peggy and now Eric to a wonderful neighborhood.

Ted would eventually move to Foster Miller in Waltham to which he hiked, biked, or cross country skied depending on the conditions. In the mid-80s Kathleen was replaced by Catspaw, a Wauquiez 35’, on which he cruised extensively with Kathy and enjoyed many a Figawi race. Their shared love of skiing brought them to mountains all over North America and Europe.

Ted is very much missed by his wife: Kathleen, daughter: Peggy Cavanaugh and her husband Tony Kramer of Ventnor, NJ, son: Eric of Portland, OR, daughter: Bonnie Kirchner and her husband Craig Rowe of Marion, MA, grandchildren: Katie and Sean Cavanaugh, the Kramer, Bleidt, and Rowe step-grandchildren, and so many wonderful friends and colleagues.

His family is forever grateful for the wonderful staff who cared for him at Sippican Healthcare especially during such an unprecedented time; as well as the incredible Brookhaven Hospice healthcare professionals.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to: CHA Foundation, c/o Brookhaven Hospice, 114 Turnpike Rd, Suite 206, Westborough, MA 01581 or https://www.chafoundation.net/contribute-online or Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Office of Development, Hoboken, NJ 07030, and indicating the Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Gifts can also be made by using this link and choosing the Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship Fund from the dropdown list https://connect.stevens.edu/makeagift/1950-59 indicating the gift is a tribute at the bottom of the online form. In either case please note that the contribution is in memory of Ted Kirchner. A Celebration of Ted’s life will be held when it is safe to gather.