Alton "Bear" B. Acker

Alton "Bear" Bancroft Acker, 83, passed away October 16, 2025 as the result of an accident in his beloved workshop. Born on January 23, 1942, in Mt. Pleasant, New York to the late Gardner and Mildred (Starr) Acker, he was an avid woodworker and musician from an early age.

While his passion was bluegrass music, his many successes include being a stay-at-home dad to his 2 children, High School teacher at several schools in the Pioneer Valley, Medic in the US Air Force, Editor of Guitar maker Magazine and Director of the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans, Band Leader of Bear Acker & Billings Gap and also a member of various bands. He was a member of the US Air Force from1962-1968, during which he received the Airmen’s Medal for rescuing a swimmer in the Black Sea. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green and his master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1978 he returned to his Kentucky Alma Mater to learn the art of guitar building from the late Hascal Haile. Bear’s life followed many different paths; he could tell stories for hours about his adventures.

Bear will be dearly missed by his wife of 50 years, Christine "Tina" (Veneri) Acker; son, Aidan Ackerman and his wife, Maura; daughter, Abby O'Connor and her husband, Barry; as well as his grandchildren, Izzie and Max Ackerman and Lily and Brady O'Connor. Additionally, he will be remembered by many musicians, woodworkers and entrepreneurs for his encouragement and support as they launched their own careers.

Staying true to his nature with a passion for teaching, Bear donated his body to the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program and will continue enriching the lives of many students with a thirst for knowledge.

A celebration of Bear's life is planned for April 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bear's memory can be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org or to Shriners Children’s Hospital by visiting www.shrinerschildrens.org.