Eric Oddleifson, 76, of Cohasset passed away unexpectedly on June 19th, 2011. He was born in Rochester NY on April 16, 1935.
Mr. Oddleifson was a passionate advocate of the arts and devoted his life to furthering the cause of arts education. He founded the Center for Arts in the Basic Curriculum, now known as Arts Learning at Walnut Hill School, where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also a board member of the South Shore Conservatory, and NPR’s “From the Top” radio program. He was given many awards and accolades for his arts advocacy work. Mr. Oddleifson was also an enthusiastic amateur clarinet player and during his life enjoyed playing in the Hingham Civic Orchestra, Cohasset’s Rusty Skippers Community Band, and the Harvard University Baroque Chamber Orchestra. In addition he was a founding member of the Hingham Woodwind Quintet.
He was the former President of the Gulf River Association, an active member of the South Shore Jet Pollution Council, and a Trustee of Hambrecht and Quist Capital Management.
Mr. Oddleifson graduated from Saint Paul's School in Concord, NH in 1952, Harvard College in 1956 and the Harvard Business School in 1963. He also attended the Eastman School of Music. He started his career as a consultant with Arthur D Little in Cambridge, MA and later emerged as a pioneer in the field of sustainable timber investing for institutional investors. During his career he established two timber investment management companies, managing assets from foundations, endowments and pension funds.
Mr. Oddleifson was a sailing enthusiast and captain of the Lightweight Crew Team while attending Harvard. He also enjoyed many happy hours circumnavigating the globe in his basement on his Concept Two rowing machine, and took great pride in the fact that he had reached the ½ way mark on his 40,075,000 meter quest.
He and his wife Janna celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2010. They raised three children together, Katrin Robertson (William) of Ann Arbor Michigan, Christina Oddleifson (Anthony Lawless) of Deer Isle Maine and Eric Martin (Elizabeth) of Hingham. His four grandchildren, Nathaniel and Tessa Robertson, and Jakob and Bryndis Oddleifson, his brother Peter of Rochester, NY and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
His enthusiastic and generous nature will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A private service will be held on Nantucket, with a memorial service planned for a future date, to celebrate his life and his deep love of music.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Eric’s memory can be made to the South Shore Conservatory, One Conservatory Dr, in Hingham, MA 02043 or Walnut Hill School for the Arts 12 Highland Street, Natick, MA 01760-2199