Gary Felsenfeld

Encircled by the love of his family, Gary Felsenfeld's wonderful 94-year-long life came to a close on May 1, 2024. Acclaimed scientist, scholar, and a person of exceptional ethical clarity, he was first and foremost a loving husband of nearly 68 years to Naomi and a devoted Dad to Sara (Bram Freedman), Adam (Amy Sochard) and Dan (Nancy Peterson). He was an adoring Grandpa Gary to Noah, David, Zoë, and Joshua Freedman, Sam and Ilana Felsenfeld, and Matt and Kira Felsenfeld and their partners, and a delighted great-grandpa to Céleste.

Born in New York City at the onset of the Great Depression, Gary's life was driven by his relentless passion for discovery and learning and his deep commitment to his family, his students, and his values. A graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Harvard, and Cal Tech, his prolific career was spent at the NIH, from which he retired only last year.

Gary believed that talent was meaningless without equal measures of luck and hard work. And he embraced science, music, literature, travel, nature, archaeology, and art with equal enthusiasm. He lived his last weeks with humor and determination, surrounded by his books and by those who loved him.

Funeral at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5 at Ohr Kodesh Congregation, 8300 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase MD, 20815. Burial following services at Judean Memorial Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney MD 20832.

Published by The Washington Post from May 4 to May 5, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Museum of Natural History science education program in memory of Gary Felsenfeld.

https://tickets.amnh.org/donations/science-education