Eight Bells: Jerome Milgram

Jerome H. Milgram, age 83, passed away December 20, 2021, at his home in Winchester, Massachusetts, with his family by his side.

Jerry was the W. I. Koch Professor of Marine Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he taught since 1970. Jerry was a member of the National Academy of Engineers and recipient of the 2017 Gibbs Brothers Medal (awarded for outstanding contributions in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering).

Jerry contributed to the development of many technologies associated with oceans: boat design, oil spill clean-up, tug and tow technology, underwater submersibles, and even holograms that detected plankton. He often worked closely with the United States Navy and the Coast Guard.

Jerry was the design director and chief computer modeler for America³, which won the America’s Cup in 1992 by using a more scientific approach to the design of racing yachts. To watch a video about this involvement, click here.

Jerry was born in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania, on September 23, 1938, the oldest child of Samuel Milgram and Fannie (Marmor) Milgram. He loved sailing from an early age, and was captain of the sailing team at MIT, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1961 and his PhD in 1965.

Even while teaching and doing research he loved outdoor activities including cycling, and sailing his self-designed boat, the Cascade. Jerry was kind, smart and witty. He was a devoted husband, and loving brother, father, uncle and grandfather, who will be deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Robin (Horowitz) Milgram, his stepson and daughter-in law, Eben and Uromi Manage Goodale, his grandson, David Parakrama Goodale, his sister Linda (Milgram) Becker, his nephew Eric Ring and his wife Melissa Wallen, his late nephew Steven Ring and his wife Mary Ring, and their children, Andrew and Melissa.

An online Memorial Service will occur on January 8, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Oceana (www.oceana.org), which is the largest international ocean conservation organization, or to MIT (giving.mit.edu).