Lembit Hans Laasberg, 91, originally from Rakvere, Estonia, and residing in Paxton, Massachusetts died Wednesday, April 16 at his home. He is survived by the following relatives living in his native country of Estonia: Ott Valgma, Enn Valgma, Dagmar Raiet, and Daisy Laasberg, all cousins. He is survived by the following family members who live in the U.S.: Aivar Koppel, Juta and Edgar Grube, Guy Grube, Gail Leveille and Linda Kahl. Lembit is survived by these close relatives who live in Canada: Olaf Reiman, Helle Green and their families; as well as these close relatives who live in Great Britain: Gunnar Reiman, Tiina Parts and their families.
Mr. Laasberg's wife, Irene Linda Laasberg passed away in Westborough, Massachusetts in 2001. Most recently, Lembit had been caring for Ms. Tamara Lasberg, a family member, until her death in 2012.
Lembit was born in Rakvere, Estonia on July 4, 1922, and made his way to America through several intermediate steps. A "Forest Brother" in Estonia, part of the resistance movement against the Russian occupation of Estonia, Lembit made a daring escape from Estonia with his wife using a small boat. Together they made their way to Finland, and eventually to Sweden, where Lembit continued his scientific studies at Hermods Institute and the University of Lund. He completed his engineering degree at Netzler's Technological Institute in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lembit and his wife moved to Canada in the late 1950s where he continued his graduate studies at McGill University, Montreal, in the fields of immunology and immunochemistry. After moving to the United States a few years later, Lembit's further graduate studies took place at Harvard University, Tuft's Medical School and MIT where he focused on advanced research in Physiology, Pharmacology and Spectroscopy.
Mr. Laasberg lectured extensively on many scientific subjects, and authored or co-authored more than fifty technical papers, published in various professional journals.
Mr. Laasberg retired as a Director of Anesthesia research, Blood-gas research and Chromatography laboratories at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital in 1988, and from the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1990. He was a member of many professional societies and other organizations.
Lembit was a proud life-long member of the prestigious Estonian Students' Society, EÜS, whose members have honored him this week following his passing. Lembit personified the Society's motto: Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo ("Resolute in execution, gentle in manner").
Lembit Hans Laasberg will be remembered by the many people whose lives he has touched, by those he has helped in his extraordinary generosity, and by his extensive knowledge and unusual wisdom. Lembit was blessed with a seemingly infinite memory for details and his colorful stories and advice will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd at 11:00 am at the Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605. The Reverend Uudo Tari will officiate, and burial will take place immediately after the memorial service, at the New Swedish Cemetery in Worcester.
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