Michael S. Epelman

In loving memory of Michael S. Epelman - born November 1941, in Tomsk, Siberia. His family fled to Siberia during WWII as the evacuation began from Leningrad fleeing from the German invasion. His family then returned to Leningrad in 1944 after the blockade was lifted.

He studied at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology where he was one of the only Jews to be accepted due to his academic achievements. He was a gold medal student as well as a top-level fencer.

In 1961, Michael married Polina at the young age of 19. Soon thereafter they welcomed their first daughter Julia. They spent the next 62 years together.

In 1971, Michael took the brave step and defected from the Soviet Union to Israel as he couldn’t live under the oppressive state any longer. He went on a trip to Finland and without saying a word, he traveled to the Israeli Embassy seeking political asylum.

Michael loved Israel very much and whole-heartedly immersed himself in the language and culture. He began his career as a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Be’er Sheva. He spent his free time working to get Polina and Julia out of the Soviet Union to join him in Israel. Hunger strikes, and mingling in circles with influential people, ultimately connected him to Ted Kennedy, who helped get permission for Polina and Julia to come to Israel.

In honor of their newfound freedom, in 1976, the Sabra, Emilie, aka Муся, was born.

Michael was subsequently invited to spend his sabbatical in Canada at the University of Halifax, and then, in 1978 he was recruited to Bentley University where he worked the remainder of his career as a Professor of Mathematics and Operations Management. The family lived in Lexington for nearly 20 years and then as empty nesters, moved to Marblehead.

He was an avid outdoorsman, he had a lifelong passion for skiing, kayaking and cycling.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Polina Epelman of Marblehead MA, his two daughters Julia Kingsley of Newton, MA and Emilie Epelman of Denver, CO. Grandchildren, Benjamin Krol, Samuel Kingsley and Mila and Max Rutberg.

May his memory live on amongst his loving family and friends.