Geoffrey Moore Langdon
Age 52 years, husband of Cindy M. (Muller) Langdon, died of a heart attack on December 23, 2007 after attending a concert with his wife Cindy and other family members and friends. Born in Englwood, New Jersey, son of the late Palmer Hull Langdon, owner and publisher of Metal Finishing magazine, and Anne Moore, He attended Englewood School for Boys. Geoffrey graduated from Kent School, Kent, CT in the class of 1974.Geoffrey graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) School of Architecture with a Master of Science (Architecture), a Bachelor of Architecture, and a Bachelor of Science. He was a registered architect and college professor. Geoffrey taught design, solar energy, resource conscious design, and architectural computer aided design and drafting (CADD) at a number of colleges in the Boston area, including Mount IDA College and Suffolk University and was known as "Professor Langdon" to thousands of college students during the last 20 years.
Geoffrey was the founder and principal owner of Architectural CADD Consultants, a firm that specializes in helping architectural firms with computing and CADD.
He was the author of several CADD books, including "Architectural CADD: A Resource Guide to Design and Production Software Appropriate for Architect," "CADD and the Small Firm" with Evan Shu (published by the Boston Society of Architects), and "ArchiCAD for AutoCAD Users" with Ralph Grabowski. He has also authored scores of articles on CAD for numerous publications, such as AEC Tech News, Cadence, Architectural Specifier, CAD Systems, ADinfo.net, Architectural Record, Architecture, Architecture Boston, and Cheap Tricks.
Geoffrey was a true pioneer in the development and advocacy of computer-aided design in the architectural profession, but he was a lot more than just a wise teacher; Geoffrey was a thoughtful, optimistic colleague whose remarkable ability to express in practice the now-common connections between traditional architectural design and the rapid evolution of computer technology enriched and continues to enrich the design and construction industry in New England and beyond.
Geoff's legacy is a substantial one -- he touched thousands of design professionals in countless ways and he trained hundreds of young designers who already are shaping the architectural profession's uses of computer technology -- and he made it all seem delightful and even simple. His contagious enthusiasm was compelling and remains with us. His unique vision saw CAD as a spectator sport when he created the "Designer's 3D CADD Shootout" and hosted and guided it through 8 annual competitions from 1996-2003. Geoffrey was a long-time Boston Society of Architects (BSA) activist and computer-aided design (CAD) guru and was also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Geoffrey was one of the pillar foundation members of DBUG, the DataCAD Boston Users Group, perhaps the oldest and most influential continuing CAD support group of its kind. At DBUG's recent 20th anniversary meeting at Boston World's Trade Center, Geoff won the award as the "Host with the Most" with this citation: "Geoffrey Moore Langdon has hosted DBUG over 25 times . . . in the most locations . . . with the longest agendas . . . with the most topics, both covered and uncovered per meeting!" In 2000, Geoffrey Moore Langdon was nominated for Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects, AIA's highest career achievement designation for its members. (Characteristically, he was too busy to complete the necessary paperwork required to confirm the nomination!).
He had a lifelong interest in anthropology, specifically the study of Tahitian society, and did anthropological research in the Mahina district of Tahiti in 1975. He taught himself to speak Tahitian and studied with Margaret Mead at Columbia in the 1970's. He made several trips back to Tahiti, most recently in 2006.
Geoffrey married Cindy August 22, 1992. They met on St. Patrick's day 1984. They shared a passion for sailing and spent summer vacations cruising the New England coast. Geoff completed the Bermuda and Halifax races several times and was a member of the Storm Trysail Club. Surviving him in addition to his wife are his step son, Daniel Derenzo of Peabody; 3 sisters, Suzanne L. Congdon and her husband Bill of Harrington Park, NJ; Jeanne Langdon and her husband John Vanore of Annapolis, MD; Catherine L. Edmonstone of North Kingstown, RI; 2 nieces, Maesy Edmonstone, Julia Congdon; and one nephew, Matthew Congdon. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Beverly on Saturday at 9:00 a.m Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Campbell Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., BEVERLY (North Beverly Location) on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society. Memorial Giving Program, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
