Geoffrey Allsup
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the sudden and unexpected death of WHOI Emeritus Research Scholar Geoffrey Allsup on March 23, 2023. He was 71.
Geoff was born on April 24, 1951, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Ruth (Perry) and Percy Allsup. His family enjoyed many camping and outdoor trips, instilling in him an adventurous spirit that led him, at age 16, to bicycle independently around England with his cousin.
During his speech as class Salutatorian, to his 1969 graduating class at Tolman High School, Pawtucket, RI, he spoke of the importance of school as “a place to learn how to learn.” Geoff went on to study at Brown University. His passions for independent learning, and outdoor adventures, especially on a bike or trike, continued throughout his life. He was an avid reader with interests including history, biography, science, science fiction and the works of Tolkein.
Geoff often remarked that he earned his first amateur radio license at age 12, on the day of Kennedy’s assassination, and through his entire adult life said, “I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.” However, in the 1980s, his fascination with building and using radios led naturally into intense study of the emerging science of both computer hardware and software. His work as a technician led to a career as a largely self-taught engineer beginning at Neil Brown Instrument Systems. Geoff began his career at WHOI in 1986 as a research assistant in the Physical Oceanography Department with Ken Prada. He was promoted several times throughout his career, eventually retiring as a senior engineer. In 2018, he became an oceanographer emeritus and in 2019, an emeritus research scholar. He worked for Bob Weller, Amy Bower, and Al Plueddemann during his illustrious career. Geoff worked with the Upper Ocean Processes Group (UOP) for many years. He was a skilled electronic engineer specializing in very low power and microprocessor-based sensor, instrument, and data logger electronics. He was central to the sustained success of the ASIMET system and also updated the VMCM electronics that have been so successfully campaigned by UOP. Throughout his time at WHOI, he appreciated the institution’s collaborative ethic and especially enjoyed helping people solve problems. His skills, talent, and gentle manner were greatly appreciated, and his expertise will be greatly missed.
Geoff married his high school sweetheart, Kim (Metz), in 1969 and often said that, in spite of complaints from his elders, marrying young was one of his best life decisions. He loved continuing his family tradition of outdoor adventures and biking with their children, Ben, and Nora, exploring New England, out west, and on regular vacations to Prince Edward Island. He read the complete Lord of the Rings to each of them and shared with them many interests including amateur radio and photography. Everyone remembers his excitement at discovering picnic tables during their adventures, his love of astronomy, his signature chocolate chip cookies, and his methodical approach to cooking Thanksgiving dinners. By the time his grandkids arrived, he was an experienced baby-whisperer. He saw it as both a duty and great joy to read each of them The Hobbit and the entire Lord of the Rings series.
Geoff was a dedicated member and past president of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association, where he was active in the organization of Field Day events and had a special interest in helping young people discover ham radio.
He was an attender at West Falmouth Friends Meeting.
Geoff was predeceased by his parents and by his grandson, Ewan Gardner. He is survived by his wife of more than 53 years, Kim, son Be
n and spouse Erica Szuplat, daughter Nora and spouse Alan Gardner, grandchildren, Elliot, Lex, and Tessa Gardner, sister Judy Allsup Miller, brother Joel Allsup, his aunt Barbara Wilson and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Memorial Donations can be made to Falmouth Service Center, Rails to Trails, or Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA).
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 2 from 1-3 p.m., at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 584 West Falmouth Highway (Route 28A) West Falmouth, MA, 02574.
The family requests that masks will be worn.
A Celebration of Life for Geoff will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at the Quaker Meetinghouse, 572 West Falmouth Highway (Rt 28A). Following the service, the family invites all to the pavilion near the beach at Goodwill Park to share light refreshments and memories. The service will also be on Zoom. Use this link to register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIocOyorzgvGtDLuOoqwA1Nuv1X-evqgZhX. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the service.
Information for this obituary is from the Allsup Family