Greek-American Professor emeritus of MIT Elias Gyftopoulos passed away peacefully in his Lincoln, MA home at the age of 84. Dr. Gyftopoulos was a Ford Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1996.
Born in Athens, Greece, Elias came to The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall of 1953 as a graduate student. He remained at MIT for his entire career, where he distinguished himself as an outstanding teacher, professor, scientist and innovative thinker. He was an exceptional leader in the Greek community in Boston, advising countless Greek students attending universities in the area.
His research interests included nuclear plant dynamics; plasma physics; surface physics; direct energy conversion; thermal energy among others, gaining him dual titles as Ford Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Gyftopoulos had also been active in the private sector as the director of Thermo BioAnalysis Corporation, Thermo Cardiosystems Inc., Thermo Electron, Thermo Remediation Inc., ThermoSpectra Corporation, Thermo Voltek Corp. and Trex Medical Corporation.
His funeral is scheduled for June 28 at 10:45a.m. at the Holy Cross Seminary Chapel at Hellenic College-Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline. Visiting hours Wednesday, June 27 from 4-8 p.m. in the Holy Cross Chapel.
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