Hanover, NH – Philip Aldrich Drinker, 85, former resident of Belmont, MA and Wilder, VT died Monday, April 10, 2017 at his residence at Kendal at Hanover.

Philip was born April 7, 1932 in Boston, MA, the son of Philip and Suzanne (Aldrich) Drinker. He spent his childhood in Newton and Cambridge, MA, and attended Shady Hill School and Phillips Exeter Academy, class of 1950. Philip went on to complete his B.S. at Yale University, class of 1954 and sat for his Doctorate from M.I.T. in hydrodynamics in 1961. He stayed on at M.I.T. and taught fluid dynamics in the department of Civil Engineering until 1965, leaving to set up the Division of Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Surgery at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. His research there focused on artificial organs, in particular the membrane oxygenator (heart/lung machine). In 1975 he was asked to set up a separate Department of Biomedical Engineering and served as Chief of that department through the merger of the three hospitals that resulted in the formation of Brigham and Women's Hospital. He remained department chief until his retirement in 1990. After retirement he worked at Hood Labs in Boston for several years using acoustical measurements to study the morphology of the airways.

Philip was an accomplished woodworker and played French horn for most of his life. In later years he combined those two loves in his hobby of building alphorns, on which he and his trio performed at various events.

His hobbies also included ski patrolling, disking behind his lobster boat, summers on Somes Sound in Maine, and playing guitar.

Philip was the past president of the Belmont Community Center, served as a town meeting member for a number of years, and was involved in starting a teen center.

Philip is survived by his beloved wife Margaret Lawrence Drinker of Hanover, NH, a son Philip Drinker of Springfield, VT, three daughters; Margot Stephens of Norwich, VT, Julia Siegfried of Beaufort, SC, and Elizabeth Drinker Hopkins of Eastport, ME, a sister Mary Eliza Scudder of Altadena, CA, and six much loved grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Susan Moran.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction assisted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Shady Hill School, 178 Coolidge Hill, Cambridge MA 02138. Please include "in memory of Philip Drinker" on the memo line of a check, or you can give online at www.shs.org.