Lee Adelsberg Obituary

Lee Martin Adelsberg
Big Flats, NY
Passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 with his family at his side at the age of 85. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was predeceased by parents Rubin and Dorothy Adelsberg and sister Susan. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anita Tanzman Adelsberg, daughter Julie Cohen (Robert), sons Gordon and Daniel Adelsberg (Jillian) and grandchildren Samuel Cohen, Molly Cohen, Sofia Adelsberg, and Leo Adelsberg. Lee graduated from Peabody High School, Carnegie Institute of Technology and earned his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering at The Ohio State University.
At the Westinghouse Astronuclear Laboratory he worked on the coatings of the fuel elements for the NERVA project. This was part of the propulsion system for the manned 3-year round-trip to Mars. In 1966 he joined the R & D division at Sullivan Park of Corning Glass Works and studied high temperature materials. His research was later used in thousands of modern products and a myriad of technologies. Later, he helped design the Metallurgy lab at Corning's new Decker Building, and was the head of Corning's respected Metallurgy Department for many years. He led a team that solved technical problems throughout Corning's labs and factories – saving money and making manufacturing processes more efficient. As a Senior Engineering Associate, he became a project manager of Corning's optical fiber program (which helped make the Internet possible). Lee received Corning's "Individual Outstanding Contributor" award for this work. He also helped to develop Corning's Liquid Crystal Display (the glass on modern TVs and cellphones). He was awarded 11 patents and many publications throughout his career.
Above all else, Lee loved and enjoyed his wife and children. His idea of a work incentive was being with his family at home.
One of Lee's hobbies was playing the bagpipes, which he learned while living in Pittsburgh. Upon moving to Corning and discovering there was no local pipe band, he founded the Caledonian Highlanders and later helped start the Scottish-American Society. He was the pipe major of the Highlanders until his retirement from the band. For more than 55 years, Lee taught dozens of students the rudiments of bagpipe playing. He never charged for any of the long hours of teaching and he inspired his students to become better players.
During his retirement Lee attended a workshop at the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass where he learned various glassmaking techniques. He took to flameworking, and began to make beautiful glass beads which Anita strung into jewelry. Thus began the "AnitaLee Jewelry" business that has lasted more than 12 years. Lee enjoyed working out at the Corning Y where he loved to talk with everyone and share his latest jokes. Local business people loved to speak with him as he always had a quip or pleasantry to share.
Lee was a life-long Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate fan. He was happy that his children and some grandchildren follow in his footsteps and choose to root for the Steelers. He loved to reminisce about sneaking into Forbes Field as a child.
Many caregivers were involved in helping him during the past 16 months. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at the Lipson Cancer Institute, the Guthrie Corning Cancer Center, CareFirstNY, and local home health care professionals. Charitable contributions may be sent to Congregation Kol Ami, the Jewish Community and Federation of the Southern Tier, The Salvation Army, or the USO.
Services will be held in Lee's memory at Congregation Kol Ami, 1008 W. Water Street, Elmira, NY on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11AM. Burial will follow at the Franklin Street Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the Adelsberg home in Big Flats on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 1-4PM. For more details, contact CKA at 607-732-7410.