John B. Vander Sande

John B. Vander Sande, 80, of Newbury MA died Friday, June 28, 2024.

He was born March 27, 1944 in Baltimore, MD of John L Vander Sande and Genevieve (Kowalski) Vander Sande.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with highest honors from Stevens Institute of Technology (1966) and his PhD in Materials Science from Northwestern University (1970). He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study at Oxford University as a postdoctoral fellow.

John joined the MIT faculty in 1971 as an Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and became a full professor in 1981. He was named Cecil & Ida Green Distinguished Professor in 1991. A year later he was appointed Associate Dean of Engineering and served as Acting Dean of Engineering twice. One of his accomplishments during that period was to play a leading role in developing the Singapore-MIT Alliance, MIT’s first foray into distance education.

John was named Executive Director of the Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI), a collaboration with University of Cambridge (UK) and MIT, funded by the British government and industry. CMI concentrated on undergraduate and faculty exchanges, integrated research on productivity and entrepreneurship, professional development for executives and collaboration with eight British universities designated as Enterprise Centers. He served as Executive Director from 1999-2003.

John retired from MIT in 2006 but continued his involvement with international academic projects in Ecuador, Morocco and Iceland. He served as Acting Provost of Reykjavik University, Iceland from 2009-2010.

John was known for his pioneering contributions to electron microscopy for the characterization of structure and composition of materials. In 1987, John and Gregory J Yurek, another MIT professor, developed a breakthrough technology for processing high temperature superconducting oxide wires; this seminal research led to the co-founding of American Superconductor Corporation with Professors Yet-Ming Chiang and David Rudman.

Drs. Vander Sande and Yurek received the 1994 Massachusetts Columbus Quincentennial Award in recognition of the Spirit of Discovery for their breakthrough work in developing high temperature superconductors. With resources stemming from MIT’s involvement in founding the company, MIT endowed two professorships- one honoring the late John F Elliott’s contribution to metallurgical science and engineering, and the other as a memorial to MIT’s 4th President James Mason Crafts.

Outside of MIT, he was well regarded as a scholar and gifted lecturer on 17th and 18th century New England furniture, generously sharing his knowledge and engaging in lively discussions with like-minded enthusiasts, including his wife Marie-Teresa and antique afficionados- Hollis Brodrick, Gerry Mingin and Charlie Griffin.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marie-Teresa (Melluzzo) Vander Sande; son John Franklin and wife Melanie (Swirk) VanderSande, Amesbury; daughter Rosse Marais VanderSande Ellis and husband Zak Ellis, Decatur, Tx; grandchildren Gabriel Rhys Pelletier and partner Grace Christian, Los Angeles; Sophia Marais VanderSande and John Christian VanderSande, Amesbury, MA.

He is survived by one brother, Jack Vander Sande and his wife Elaine, Noxon, MT. His brother Emiel D Vander Sande predeceased him.

John Vander Sande was a man of great character, generous spirit, a wonderful mentor, loving husband and father and a faithful Catholic.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Thursday, July11, 2024 at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. His Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of John B. Vander Sande to Newbury Fire Department, Protection 2 or The Museum of Old Newbury.

For directions or to offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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