In memorium

Alan Miller Laufman

Alan Miller Laufman, 65, of Nelson Road in Harrisville, New Hampshire died of cancer in his son’s home in Cambridge on November 30, 2000. Born in Arlington, MA, he graduated from Arlington High School in 1953, and earned a BA in American Literature and English from Brandeis University in 1958. He did graduate work at Clark University. Between 1961 and 1975 he served as a teacher of English at The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston, MA), the Choir School of St. Thomas (NYC), Storm King School (Cornwall on Hudson, NY), Clark University (Worcester, MA), and the Barlow School (Amenia, NY).

During his years at Brandeis, Mr. Laufman developed a strong interest in the pipe organ that led to his most significant life work. In 1961, he became executive director of theOrgan Clearing House, an organization that started as a branch of the Organ Historical Society dedicated to the preservation of historic pipe organs. During his 39 year tenure, Laufman developed the Organ Clearing House into an internationally active service for the sale and relocation of pipe organs. He was responsible for the relocation of more than 2000 pipe organs in this country as well as Brazil, England, Latvia, Germany, and Japan.

He has been active in the Organ Historical Society, serving variously as Secretary, President , Convention Chairman and Convention Coordinator (for 23 years). He was editor for 28 editions of The Organ Handbook, a frequent contributor the Society’s journal, The Tracker. Through the Boston Organ Club, he recently published Pipe Organs in Arlington, Massachusetts.  Since 1987, Mr. Laufman was a member o f the Board of Selectmen in Harrisville, NH, and served as organist at St. Denis’ Roman Catholic Church, also in Harrisville.

Mr. Laufman is survived by his mother, Marjorie D. Gordon of Concord, NH; two brothers, Dudley Laufman of Canterbury NH, and Philip Laufman of North Swanzey, NH; a sister, Ann Mason of Barrington, RI; and five foster sons, Amory Atkins and Joshua Wood of Cambridge, MA, Jesse Gallagher of Breckenridge, CO, Stephen Langley of Japan, and Jacob Clough of Keene, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to the OHS American Organ Archives, P.O. Box 26811, Richmond, VA 23261; Covenant House, Post Office Box 731 Times Square Station, New York NY 10108; or American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA, 19102.