Elliot E. Entin

Elliot E Entin, 86, passed away peacefully on October 17 after a brief illness. Elliot was born on April 2, 1940 in the Bronx and grew up in White Plains, NY. At 21, he met and became smitten with Eileen Becker while they were both working in the Catskill mountains. They married in 1963 and lived in Ann Arbor where they studied and worked at the University of Michigan. Within the next few years, they took two car trips across the country to visit a number of National Parks, the start of many travel adventures.

Elliot earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968. He accepted a position as a professor of psychology at Ohio University and the couple moved to Athens, Ohio. He used a sabbatical as an opportunity to work at Flinders University in Australia, where the family, now including two children, visited many iconic sites in that country as well as New Zealand.

The family moved to Lexington, MA in 1980 where Elliot began a career as a senior research psychologist, first at Alphatech and later Aptima, two locally-based human-centered engineering and advanced-technology companies. A born teacher, in the later part of his career, he resumed teaching psychology and statistics as an adjunct professor at Brandeis University, UMass Lowell and other Boston-area colleges.

A devoted fan and supporter of the University of Michigan, Elliot proudly donned his signature maize and blue hat and jacket everywhere he went, exchanging greetings of “Go Blue” with people he met worldwide. He helped organize and hosted many events with the Michigan Alumni Association of Boston.

As a strong believer in the scientific method, Elliot always looked for data to back up any assertions people made. After helping younger family members with their science fair projects, he enthusiastically served as a judge for high school and regional science fairs.

Friends, colleagues, and family appreciated Elliot’s distinctive sense of humor that often involved testing their gullibility. Elliot, never without his Swiss army knife, was handy and had a range of practical skills. He was generous with his time and applied his skills as ‘Mr. Fixit’ for his extended family’s and many friends’ household problems. He also built things including stereo equipment, roof racks, and dog houses, and helped repair many board walks on the conservation land in Lexington. An excellent woodworker, Elliot built furniture such as beds, shelves, tables, and light fixtures, as well as decorative trivets and cutting boards.

Elliot is survived by his wife, Eileen, his sister Bernice Cahill (Tom), children Pauline Entin (Troy Blodgett) and Jared Entin (Cindy), and by his four beloved grandchildren Nora Blodgett (Nick Hall), Ginger Blodgett, Savannah Entin, and Drew Entin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Entin Becker Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan (www.giving.umich.edu, fund 799779) or Consumers Union (www.consumersreport.org/donate).