GEORGE BENNETT HALPERIN, JR.

Commander George B. Halperin Jr., US Navy (Ret.) died unexpectedly December 7, 2011 at Wheelock Terrace in Hanover, NH. He was 85 years old. His valiant struggle with Alzheimer's ended two distinguished careers and an extraordinary passion for learning, travel, and zest for life. Those who knew him benefited from his brilliant sense of humor.
George was born in Manhattan, NY in 1926 to George and Muriel Halperin and raised in Miami, FL. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and entered Duke University. He joined the Navy in 1944 during WWII and became a hospital corpsman.
He earned a competitive fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as Ensign in the Supply Corps.
During his twenty years' commissioned service, he established himself as an outstanding manager and leader. He was one of the first of his contemporaries to be sent to Stanford University where he earned an MBA in 1958. He met and married Ellen Barber in Pasadena, CA in 1957. The marriage dissolved in 1988.
He was selected for and attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI in 1966.
During his naval career, George was awarded the Navy Commendation medal, and two Navy Unit Commendations as well as various campaign medals. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea,and Vietnam.
George retired from the Navy in 1970 and began his second career. He received a Master of Arts degree in History from University of Vermont and taught at history/social studies at Stowe High in Stowe, VT also serving as head of the department and Assistant Principal. In 1976, the senior class dedicated their yearbook to him.
He entered Harvard next and received a Master of Education degree in 1979.
Fluent in German, George accepted a position in 1980 at the Kennedy Schule in West Germany teaching American and European history until 1986. The following year he attended Oxford as a visiting graduate student researching British Foreign Policy.
George was recognized for his achievements by Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World.
In 1987, he moved to Wilder, Vermont and in 1996 met Kathleen Bourdon Cahill of Woodstock, Vermont while traveling on an opera tour in Munich, Germany. They married in 2000 and shared their passion for traveling throughout the world. They resided in West Lebanon, NH.
Commander Halperin was a man of charm, humor, and imagination with a great sense of fun. He embraced life's pleasures with gusto and seized life.

George is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Kathleen Bourdon Halperin, his step-children Sean Paul Cahill of Boston, MA and Tristan Bourdon Cahill of Burlington, VT, his sister, Susan Bryant of Gettysburg, PA, his former wife Ellen Halperin of Morrisville, VT, his son, Thomas Allyn Halperin and wife, Ellen, of Hardwick VT, his daughter Gail Susan Halperin and six grandchildren, and a great-grandson and

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Opera North, 20 West Park Street, Lebanon, NH 03766, and ILEAD,10 Hilton Field Road, Hanover, NH 03755.
·There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Rollins Chapel, Hanover, NH Interment will be in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph, VT.