Dan Oberst
Photo courtesy of the Oberst family
Web Stories
Memorial service set for Oberst, Nov. 18
Posted November 12, 2006; 08:45 p.m.
A memorial service for Dan Oberst, a longtime staff member in the
Office of Information Technology (OIT), is planned for 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 18, in the Edith Memorial Chapel on the Lawrenceville
School campus.
Oberst died Nov. 9 after a year and a half battle with cancer. He was 58.
Oberst joined the OIT staff in 1987, and most recently was director of
enterprise infrastructure services. Betty Leydon, vice president for
information technology and chief information officer, said he was a
leader in developing the University's core computing infrastructure,
widely regarded as one of the finest in the country. He was respected
for building a set of reliable services in the face of changing
technologies, increasing demands, and growing threats and
vulnerabilities.
"While his job was always challenging, he directed his group with great
skill, enthusiasm and good humor," she said. "He approached his job,
and his life, with insatiable curiosity, always wanting to know how
things worked. He cared about the details. And he personified optimism,
nowhere more so than in his fight with the disease that took him from
us."
Beyond Princeton, Oberst was a key player in the major IT forums, such
as EDUCAUSE and the Common Solutions Group. He contributed to the
development of Bitnet (the precursor to the Internet) and later the
Internet.
"Dan will be remembered as a vibrant, spirited and charming man,"
Leydon said. "He will be missed by all who knew him. His life, and his
contributions, will long be remembered. Princeton, information
technology and all of higher education have lost an important colleague
and a cherished friend."
Oberst is survived by his wife, Marti Richmond of Lawrenceville, N.J.;
two sons, Caleb of Philadelphia and Jesse of Tokyo; and a daughter,
Keturah of Lee, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Kidney Cancer Association.
The Office of Information Technology also has organized a blood drive
in Oberst's honor from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov.
30-Dec. 1, in the Frist Campus Center.
Following the memorial service on Nov. 18, there will be a reception on the Lawrenceville School campus. Directions to the school and chapel can be found online.
Those who wish to share their memories of Oberst are invited to visit a blog set up to celebrate his life.