Daniel G. Tear, 97, of Northborough

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Daniel G. TearNorthborough – Daniel Grant Tear passed away Sept 1, 2024, an event that he found both depressing and surprising. He thought himself immortal. His last words were “wrong again.”

Dan was born September 11, 1926 in Schenectady, New York to James DeGraff Tear and Lillian Grant Tear. He attended Cornell University, received his BA from Colgate University followed by a Masters and PhD in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.

In 1950, Dan married Madeleine “KoKo” Anna Kohler (1929-2013) and soon after moved to State College, Pennsylvania. In 1954, Dan and KoKo moved to Levittown, Pennsylvania while he worked for the University of Pennsylvania. Both their daughters were born there.

In 1956, the family moved to Northborough when Dan began working for Nordli Wilson Associates in Worcester as a Consulting Psychologist and became the managing partner in 1976. In 1983, he became an independent consulting psychologist and continued working into his early 90s. Dan’s professional focus was consulting with senior management across a wide variety of organizations. He consulted on organizational culture and interdepartmental relations, coached executives, and evaluated prospective employees.

Dan was a founding member of the cooperative Northcourt Swimming Association in Northborough, where he enjoyed playing tennis with his family and friends through his 80’s. He served the Northborough community as a member of the Appropriations Committee for 13 years.

He particularly loved being outdoors and hiked throughout the United States and many countries around the world on all continents except Antarctica, which he felt should be left for scientific exploration. He liked nothing better than telling stories about his adventures and planning the next one. His last hike was in July, bagging the highest summit in Rhode Island.

Dan was a voracious reader, had a wide range of intellectual interests, and dedicated himself to researching his family genealogy back to 17th century. He was an active member and supporter of the work of the American Antiquarian Society. His family papers – the Grant-Burr Family Papers – are digitized on the AAS website.

Dan was a loving, playful, supportive, and devoted father and grandfather who took an active interest in his family’s achievements. He is survived by: his daughters Jacqueline DeGraff Tear of Southborough, Massachusetts, and Deborah Kohler Tear Haynes of Norwich, Vermont; son-in-laws Alan Eliot Shand Jones and Byron Weiler Haynes; grandsons Grant Robert Haynes and his wife Megan Banner Sutherland of Portland, Maine, Evan Tear Haynes of Seattle, Washington, Eliot Shand Tear and his future wife Jacqueline Marie Young of Boston, Massachusetts.

Dan and KoKo were committed supporters of research at the UMass Chan Medical School and were members of the Hudson Hoagland Society. As a continuing commitment to biomedical research and education, Dan has donated his body to the UMass Chan Medical School. Their family would like to thank the members of the Cardiac ICU at the UMass Chan Medical Center who were steadfast and compassionate caregivers to Dan and his family.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609-1634; or the Annual Research Fund at the UMass Chan Medical School, Development Office, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

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