Frederic Lawrence Siegelman

“I’ve had a good run and made a lot of great friends along the way” are Dr. Fred Siegelman’s own words describing his 81 years of a live well lived. Fred is loved, will be missed, and will always be remembered for his sense of humor, loyalty, and never-ending quest for and to share knowledge. If he could have just mastered the buzzer, we are certain he would have kicked Ken Jennings butt on Jeopardy.

Fred developed a love of learning and science early in life finishing high school ahead of schedule. He went on to earn a B.S. in Chemistry from City College of New York, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Albany Medical College, and was a Postdoctoral fellow in microbiology from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Siegelman’s forty-year career includes some very interesting work that we wished we understood in labs in California, Tennessee, and Maryland. Highlights included his work at Hittman where he met his second wife Marcy Saynuk, being on a team of scientists at IGENE Biotechnology that developed a fertilizer made from blue crab shells, and presenting talks on chemistry and biotechnology around the world. In 1990, he took a job with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where he worked proudly and passionately for twenty years. His work with the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances included playing a key role in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) inspections in conjunction with the Department of Justice. One inspection resulted in the first successful GLP penalty action. His work in this investigation, which uncovered analytical chemistry data fraud, resulted in misdemeanor and felony guilty verdicts for the owner of Craven Laboratories and 14 other individuals. He received an EPA Gold Medal for this effort.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Fred found immense joy in the company of his grandchildren, often sharing laughter and gaming sessions with them. His love for nature was evident in his devotion to gardening, nurturing orchids, and observing the beauty of birds and butterflies. He deeply valued the friendships he cultivated throughout his life. In his last year, he made many new friends at The Villages at Rockville that he cherished.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marcella Saynuk. Fred is survived by brother Joel Siegelman. Son Mark Siegelman and wife Samantha, and daughter Holly Bourquin and husband Michael. Stepsons Robert Saynuk and wife Erin, and Thomas Saynuk and wife Patricia. Grandchildren Zachary and Matthew Siegelman; Morgan and James Bourquin; Raven, Alexander, Davis, and Brooke Saynuk.

A Funeral Service for Fred will be held Friday, March 29, 2024 from 11:00 AM at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075. Burial to follow at Meadowridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, "http://www.stjude.org