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Seppo Lehtinen

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Published in November 2021

Seppo Lehtinen, MSc Eng
(November 23, 1940 – November 2, 2021)

Seppo Lehtinen passed away quietly on November 2 in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the age of 80. Loving husband of 56 years of Kirsti Lehtinen (Hämäläinen), devoted father and father-in-law of Juha Lehtinen and Nicole Lehtinen, Maria Lehtinen and Mark Andermann, and cherished Pappa of his grandchildren, Olivia and Aleksi Lehtinen and Leila and Kaija Andermann.

Seppo always had a keen interest in machines and math. After completing his military service in the Suomenlinna fortress in the Coastal Artillery Regiment and serving in the Finnish Army Reserve as a Lieutenant, he matriculated at the University of Helsinki to study mechanical engineering. Seppo subsequently dedicated his 40-year career to the paper machine industry. Working for Wärtsilä/Valmet/Metso, he travelled to all corners of the world while living in Finland and in the United States. Seppo worked in several different positions throughout his career, in engineering, project management, sales, and in the senior leadership team, including as President of Valmet – Charlotte Inc. He retired in 2005.

Seppo loved everything to do with the outdoors, from forest walks to sports including golf and tennis. He was our fearless captain on the family sailboat. He was an avid skier, traveling far and wide to experience different mountains and terrain. He relished time with his family, his dog Monty, and his friends – particularly at the family country house, Punganmäki, in Finland. With a passion for well thought-out plans and organization, he taught us how to take stock of any situation, good or bad, to follow our dreams and achieve our goals. He will be missed by his family and friends around the world.

The family would like to thank the outstanding staff and physicians of the Healey Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Jay S. Fishman ALS Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. We are grateful for the commitment of his caregivers and friends, especially Herman, David, Karen, and Erisa, who provided outstanding and compassionate care.

We thank Ron Hoffman and his team at Compassionate Care ALS (CC-ALS) for guidance with navigating the many challenges that come with ALS and for sharing essential equipment, and Jennifer Chapin and her team at the ALS Association for critical support.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Seppo’s memory can be made to support ALS initiatives. Contributions in Seppo’s memory can also be made in his honor to support care needs of patients with ALS through CCALS at:
ccals.org/donate

A private memorial service will be held for close family.