In Memorium

Robert Kluter, retired from Natick Soldier Systems, long-term member and past NEIFT chair passed away on April 1, 2013. Until recently, Robert headed the NEIFT Student Scholarship Committee and remained an active member and 'head cheerleader' for the students up until his death. Beloved husband of Marina (Markos) Kluter for 45 years. Devoted father of Andrew R. Kluter of Oakland, CA, Stephanie M. Rael & her husband Eliseo of Pittsburgh, PA, Grandfather of Andreas Rael. A celebration of Robert's life will take place on June 1, 2PM, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 79 Denton Road, Wellesley. Robert was active for many years in choral music and members of his group will be there to honor him by sharing their gift.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Music Program, 79 Denton Rd., Wellesley, MA 02482. For guestbook www.gfdoherty.com

John R. Nickerson, formerly of Innova Flavors and Ocean Spray Cranberries, past NEIFT Chair and long-time member, died March 31 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Beloved husband of Terri (Azer) Nickerson. Loving father of Jamie Nickerson of New York City, and Lauren Behm and her husband Ilan of Sharon. Devoted son of Robert Nickerson and the late Frances Nickerson. Grandfather of Mia Behm. John was an avid fisherman who told hilarious stories and had a zest for life. Memorial donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown St., Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472. For online condolences please visit www.shepherdfuneralhome.com

Dennis Kwider passed away January 29, 2013, after a long battle with leukemia.. Although he had been sick for quite a while, he had been doing well and was about to start another round of chemotherapy this week.

Ellen, Dennis' wife is currently in Florida with son, Greg. There will not be any type of service since Dennis chose to be cremated. Ellen is going to stay in Florida for awhile and will not be returning to Rhode Island until sometime in March.
Condolences can be sent to:

1 Merida Lane
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Dennis was a past Chairman of the NEIFT and will be remembered "with a smile instead of sadness since he always made us laugh with his corny sense of humor"

In Memorium	Home
In Memorium... Lawrence Sanford Spiegel, Ph.D. (“Laurie”) of East Sandwich, died peacefully on March 24 after a long illness. Born in Salem, Mass. to parents who had emigrated from Russia and Lithuania, Laurie was the youngest of six children. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Lena Spiegel; stepmother, Anne Aronstein Spiegel; brothers, Jack and George; and sisters, Fran, Evelyn, Gertrude. He leaves the love of his life, wife, Mary, and their children, Evelyn and Brandon. He also leaves his daughters, Marsea, Patti, and Lisa from his first marriage to Barbara Ann Gordon; six grandchildren, (Sarah and Adrian Baker, Matthew Givens, Jonathan, Noah and Ben Morasch), and many nieces and nephews. Laurie graduated from the Citadel in 1952 and earned his Master’s degree in biochemistry from Boston University and his Ph.D. in food technology at M.I.T. His professional career as a food consultant brought many delicious adventures (and a few disasters) to his kitchen as he developed new products and technology for the food industry. Career highlights included a speech at the United Nations World Health Organization and work with the Nez Pierce tribe through the World Council of Churches. He lived in Andover for many years where he served on the Merrimack Valley Economic Development commission, including four years as chair.
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Mel Darack, on April 9, 2015.He was a core member of the Northeast Institute of Food Technologists, serving as Chairman and as a member of the Executive Board for many years. The Melvin I. Darack Undergraduate Award, the first named scholarship in the NEIFT's history, was established in recognition of his numerous contributions to the food indusry and the NEIFT. Mel grew up in Springfield, MA where he attended American International College. While serving in the US Army Air Corps during WWII, he married Missy Freedman, moved to Newton, and co-founded Dirigo Spice Corporation. Following the sale of the business in 2002, he retired at age 83. Dirigo was a family business that thrived due to Mel's input as well as that of his sons John and Joel and his grandson, Adam. Mel was an inspirational family man and a loving father. He and Missy had three children, John, Nan, and Joel. In 1967, after the family lost Missy, he married Carolyn "Hooky" Wallace Mork. Hooky brought three more children, Arnold, David, and Dory into his life. Mel and Hooky blended families with grace and wisdom. They enjoyed many reunion weekends, eventually growing to more than 35 strong. Mel was a socially active man who was deeply involved in nature conservancy for the majority of his life. He enjoyed bridge, dancing, golf, gardening, sailing, the Red Sox, Patriots, and especially his summer home on Cape Cod. His family considered him a "Jazzaholic". His family and friends will always remember him as a generous, determined, independent, loving, and wise man. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in Mel's name to Ashumet, c/o Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, PO Box 235, Cummaquid, MA 02637
Lawrence Sanford Spiegel, Ph.D. (“Laurie”) of East Sandwich, died peacefully on March 24 after a long illness. Born in Salem, Mass. to parents who had emigrated from Russia and Lithuania, Laurie was the youngest of six children. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Lena Spiegel; stepmother, Anne Aronstein Spiegel; brothers, Jack and George; and sisters, Fran, Evelyn, Gertrude. He leaves the love of his life, wife, Mary, and their children, Evelyn and Brandon. He also leaves his daughters, Marsea, Patti, and Lisa from his first marriage to Barbara Ann Gordon; six grandchildren, (Sarah and Adrian Baker, Matthew Givens, Jonathan, Noah and Ben Morasch), and many nieces and nephews. Laurie graduated from the Citadel in 1952 and earned his Master’s degree in biochemistry from Boston University and his Ph.D. in food technology at M.I.T. His professional career as a food consultant brought many delicious adventures (and a few disasters) to his kitchen as he developed new products and technology for the food industry. Career highlights included a speech at the United Nations World Health Organization and work with the Nez Pierce tribe through the World Council of Churches. He lived in Andover for many years where he served on the Merrimack Valley Economic Development commission, including four years as chair.
Robert Kluter, retired from Natick Soldier Systems, long-term member and past NEIFT chair passed away on April 1, 2013. Until recently, Robert headed the NEIFT Student Scholarship Committee and remained an active member and 'head cheerleader' for the students up until his death. Beloved husband of Marina (Markos) Kluter for 45 years. Devoted father of Andrew R. Kluter of Oakland, CA, Stephanie M. Rael & her husband Eliseo of Pittsburgh, PA, Grandfather of Andreas Rael. A celebration of Robert's life will take place on June 1, 2PM, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 79 Denton Road, Wellesley. Robert was active for many years in choral music and members of his group will be there to honor him by sharing their gift. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Music Program, 79 Denton Rd., Wellesley, MA 02482. For guestbook www.gfdoherty.com John R. Nickerson, formerly of Innova Flavors and Ocean Spray Cranberries, past NEIFT Chair and long-time member, died March 31 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Beloved husband of Terri (Azer) Nickerson. Loving father of Jamie Nickerson of New York City, and Lauren Behm and her husband Ilan of Sharon. Devoted son of Robert Nickerson and the late Frances Nickerson. Grandfather of Mia Behm. John was an avid fisherman who told hilarious stories and had a zest for life. Memorial donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown St., Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472. For online condolences please visit www.shepherdfuneralhome.com Dennis Kwider passed away January 29, 2013, after a long battle with leukemia.. Although he had been sick for quite a while, he had been doing well and was about to start another round of chemotherapy this week. Ellen, Dennis' wife is currently in Florida with son, Greg. There will not be any type of service since Dennis chose to be cremated. Ellen is going to stay in Florida for awhile and will not be returning to Rhode Island until sometime in March. Condolences can be sent to: 1 Merida Lane Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Dennis was a past Chairman of the NEIFT and will be remembered "with a smile instead of sadness since he always made us laugh with his corny sense of humor" career opportunities \| executive board \| corporate membership \| news \| upcoming events \| join us \| food industry expo \| home © NEIFT 2014