Sergei Kalvin Aalto
1938-2020
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Sergei
Kalvin Aalto of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, age 81, who succumbed on
August 14th, 2020 to the cumulative effects of dementia.
Born September 21st, 1938 in
Portland, Oregon to the late Miriam Helenius and Kalvin Aalto, he is
survived by his wife and best friend Judy and children, Soren
(Catherine), South Africa; and Alex (Roanna), Vancouver, BC;
grandchildren, Jeremy and Lucy; sister, Karlene and brother, Jim, both
of the United States.
Sergei grew up in
Portland and joined the US Navy after high school, serving aboard the
USS Jarvis as a radar technician. After completing his
service, he attended Portland State where he met his future wife,
Judy, and graduated second in his class. He went on to do
his PhD in mathematics from Oregon State University, and taught at the
University of British Columbia before coming to Saint Francis Xavier
University in Antigonish in 1970, where he spent his career until
retiring in 1999.
At StFX, Dr. Aalto was a
dedicated teacher, who always made his subject accessible and
useful. This quality led to research collaborations with
faculty members in other disciplines, and his work was supported by
the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council. He held
various leadership roles at the university, including serving three
terms as chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science department as
well as chairing several other university committees. In
recognition of his many accomplishments and the high regard in which
he was held, in 2004 Sergei was one of the first faculty members to be
named Professor Emeritus by StFX.
Sergei was
an enthusiastic patron of the arts through his involvement with
Antigonish Performing Arts, the University Concert Series, Theatre
Antigonish and the StFX Art Gallery. He was part of the
group that established the Friday evening Faculty Bar at Nicholson
Hall, which was a keystone in creating the collegial spirit for which
the StFXU faculty are known. As a pianist, his love for
music, especially jazz, is renowned. This love stayed strong even in
the darkest grip of his dementia.
As a bit of
a fitness fanatic, Sergei enjoyed many sports, including jogging,
cycling, racquetball, squash, cross-country skiing, scuba diving,
snorkelling and more. While he was never competitive, many
of us found he could be a challenge to keep pace with on a long bike
ride.
Sergei’s deep attachment to
his family and friends, his enjoyment of sharing a glass of red wine
with them, and his often mischievous smile will long be remembered by
those who loved and admired him. He will be missed by the
many who enjoyed his quiet intelligence, wide-ranging interests, and
true capacity for friendship.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family gathering
will be held at a later date. In Memoriam, donations may be
made to a charity of choice. Online condolences:
www.clcurry.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sergei Kalvin Aalto 19382020..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia