Douglas C. Sulzer

SULZER, Douglas Caldwell, age 72, passed away unexpectedly in Boston, MA, Dec.3, 2020. A noted architect and engineer, Douglas was a fixture in the architectural world in the City of Boston and beyond for 50 years.
Growing up in Mountainside, NJ, Douglas was the son of the late E. Fred Sulzer and Eleanor (Caldwell) Sulzer.
Douglas was an honor graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 1970. A Graduate with a Master Of Science in Civil Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. 1972, and the Harvard School of Design with a Master of Architecture, 1976.
He worked in the field of architecture from 1980 to his retirement in 2017. His career included positions as a Representative, a Principal, an Architectural Coordinator, a Project Manager as well as a Construction Administrator at many sites including the US Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela and many more in Boston and Cambridge, MA. He retired from his successful career with the prestigious Boston firm Elkus - Manfredi Architects, Ltd.
Douglas had a passion and zest for life. An avid reader, lover of history, gardener, and all-around Renaissance man, anyone who visited Douglas' home was immediately taken in by its warmth, elegance and beauty. Douglas' great love of travel took him all over the world. Carefully planning his trips years in advance, his travels took him all over Europe, the far east, Central and Southern America, transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2, River Cruises on the Rhine and Danube, and his summers in Provincetown, MA.
But arguably being fluent in German, Douglas' favorite destination was Germany and Austria. A regular member of the Goethe-Institute, Boston for over thirty years, Douglas received a month scholarship to study German immersion in 2007.
With friends from Boston to California, the UK to the continent and Russia, Douglas made friends easily and cultivated his friendships for many years. His kindness and compassion were always evident when someone was in need. Whether it was visiting a friend in the hospital, sending the simple card or flowers, Douglas cared deeply for those around him. A fixture at Trinity Church in the City of Boston for over fifty years, there was barely a soul who didn't know Douglas at Trinity. Trinity was a place for Douglas that illuminated his passion for architecture, beauty, and music. It was not unusual to find Douglas singing his favorite traditional hymns with great gusto and relish. Douglas once said: "No matter where in the world I am, when I walk into an Episcopal Church, I feel immediately at home". He will be greatly missed by his Church family.
Douglas was the beloved brother of Richard F. Sulzer and his wife Maia Sulzer of Costa Rica and beloved brother of Joan B. Sulzer of Springfield, MA. Loving uncle of Adam A. Pisapia, Scott D. Sulzer and Rebecca A. Sulzer. He is also survived by numerous cousins and friends. A private burial took place at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ. A memorial service will be announced at a later date at Trinity Church in the City of Boston.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Douglas' memory may be made to Trinity Church in the City of Boston, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116