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BORN
1927
DIED
2014
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MARVIN ZELEN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for MARVIN ZELEN
Gordon Flowerdew
January 12, 2015
I am one of the hundreds who benefited from Marvin's generosity and mentoring. I would not be where I am today without his helping me launch my career. His promotion of the statistical profession has benefited all who selected that career path. The rigour of scientific investigation is greatly enhanced by the role he played. I am also eternally grateful for the kindness bestowed on me by Thelma, Debbie and Sandy.
Roy Tamura
December 24, 2014
Dr. Zelen's work was an inspiration to those of us who work in clinical trial design. The fact that randomized clinical trials are considered a gold standard in terms of evidence is a tribute to pioneers like Dr. Zelen.
I met him only once while we were waiting on a flight at the airport but was touched by his modesty and friendly nature.
I am very sorry for your loss.
Lillian Lin
December 4, 2014
I just saw the notice of Dr. Zelen's passing on the ASA website. I am so sorry to hear it. I am just one of many graduate students who was mentored by Marvin. I am proud that my career as a Biostatistician began with my education at the HSPH. I was a first year MS student at HSPH the year that Marvin moved the gang from Buffalo. The start of a new era!
It touched me that Dr. Zelen always asked after my parents whenever we saw each other at JSM.
Wishing you the best in this very difficult time.
Amy Herring
November 20, 2014
Marvin inspired us as a teacher and role model. He always went out of his way to make us feel valued, and even now he leaves us with many wonderful memories and examples to carry forward in life. I'll never forget how he went out of his way to talk with my parents at graduation, or how he drove us students home in a blizzard when the weather turned during his experimental design class.
Tharmarajah Nagalingam
November 20, 2014
As a true enthusiast of late Prof Dr.Marvin . His passing is a tremendous loss for the world of researchers through out the world.
Marvin Zelen American Cancer Society Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement
Matthew Mues
November 19, 2014
November 19, 2014
My father and Marvin were life-long colleagues and friends. I have fond memories of Marvin back in Buffalo in the 70's when both our families lived in the same neighborhood. There we many conferences, picnics, and events our families attended, so many fond memories growing up. I remember him as a very kind and wonderful man. My heart goes out to Thelma, Debbie and Sandy.
Georgia Geisser
(daughter of the late Seymour Geisser)
Sungim Lee
November 18, 2014
This is tremendously sad news. Whenever I visited Boston, Marvin was always waiting for me at the Logan airport. The flight was always delayed but he was always there with the biggest smile. It's unforgettable. He was not only a great statistician but was also so kind, and really a generous person. I would like to express my sincere condolence to Thelma and his family. I will remember Marvin forever.
Janice Weinberg
November 18, 2014
Marvin was one of the first people I met when I came to Harvard as a graduate student. He was always very kind to me. Even now I can't think about probability without remembering his voice. He had a way of making students rise to their full potential. He had a huge impact in the field of clinical research and will be remembered fondly.
Kay Falkides
November 18, 2014
The memories we shared in Buffalo when we established Frontier Science, his generosity, kindness and friendship will always be remembered. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Marc Buyse
November 17, 2014
Marvin Zelen was a towering figure in biostatistics. His contributions radically transformed clinical research. As a past student in the department of Biostatistics at HSPH, I am deeply grateful to Marvin for the wisdom of his advice, his constant availability, and his unfaltering support. His students will remember him as an outstanding mentor who gracefully combined brilliance and generosity.
David Shapiro
November 17, 2014
We were so sorry to hear the sad news. Marvin was a remarkable leader, so generous, so kind, and had such a huge impact on so many of us. Our deepest condolences to Thelma and the whole family.
David and Sandra
Yanqing Sun
November 17, 2014
Marvin was very generous, supportive and inspiring. I visited Frontier Science Foundation in Boston a few times for about nine months around 2000. There were many young researchers at the Frontier. I was impressed by so much care and help he gave to all of us. I am thankful to his kindness, generosity and support that he gave to me during my visits and in the later years. I am saddened by the lost of Marvin. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Loni Tabb
November 17, 2014
Dr. Zelen had an amazing spirit and will be terribly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Stuart Baker
November 17, 2014
I am very grateful to Dr Zelen for the fundamental role he played in my career choices. When I was a senior at Harvard, I was an applied mathematics major and unsure of my future career direction. I took a course in experimental design taught by Dr. Zelen and learned about the wonderful world of biostatistics. This led me to apply to the Department of Biostatistics at Harvard where I become a graduate student. While a graduate student I took another class taught by Dr. Zelen and learned about the wonderful world of cancer screening models. This led to my first job (where I am still working) that started with (and still involves) cancer screening modeling. Dr. Zelen showed me great kindness when I visited the Department or joined him for dinner at statistical meetings.
Tony Fitzgerald
November 17, 2014
Inspiring and generous lecturer, great mentor, and all round nice person.
Karl Peace
November 17, 2014
Marvin's contributions to the literature, improving data management, efficiency in clinical trial conduct and to statistical science in general are legend. As great as he was as a professional, he was even greater as a human being. He personified kindness, humility and genuine concern for humanity. I have known Marvin since 1978. I was thrilled when he gave the Keynote address at my BASS XVIII meeting 3 years ago, and even more so when he became the first recipient of the ASA KEP Award for Statistical Contributions for the betterment of Society. I along with many, many others will miss him. He was one of my Heroes. As a parishioner from the church in Woburn said following a presentation by Marvin on his findings re the water contamination, "Thank God For Marvin."
Jelena Follweiler
November 17, 2014
Dr. Zelen was a kind and thoughtful person, and he will be greatly missed in the Biostatistics department here at Harvard.
Sam Weerahandi
November 17, 2014
We were saddened by the lost of this great statistician. We will miss Marvin, and will continue to be benefitted from his accomplishments!
Sonia Castillo
November 17, 2014
Dr. Zelen was a great teacher, dedicated researcher, and caring person. His memory will live on through his many contributions to biostatistics and medical research.
May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Sonia Castillo, FDA
Sonia Castillo
November 17, 2014
Marvin was a great teacher, dedicated researcher, and caring person. His memory will live on through his many contributions to biostatistics and medical research.
May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Sonia Castillo, FDA
John Spritzler
November 17, 2014
My condolences to the family. Marvin was an inspiring teacher.
Misha Salganik
November 17, 2014
Marvin had enormous influence on my life and life of many people that I know. Meeting him was one of the most important events of my life in the United States.
Donghoon Shin
November 17, 2014
I was a student at HSPH and I've only met Dr. Zelen twice, but that was enough for me to know that he's a wonderful person and a passionate teacher. And I'm so sorry to hear that he has passed away. Both times we met, he quizzed me on things I had not yet learned or had forgotten. But rather than leaving feeling embarrassed, insecure, or overwhelmed, Dr. Zelen had a gentle way of inspiring curiosity, and I remember leaving with a sense of purpose to learn more. He took a personal stake in my education even though we had just met, and I thank him for it.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Jones
November 17, 2014
My condolences to the family. Dr Zelen was a wonderful teacher and made a great impact on many of us. Cheryl Jones
Hui Huang
November 17, 2014
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Nusrat Rabbee
November 17, 2014
When I was a graduate student, my mother passed away. Professor Zelen sent me the kindest message where he encouraged me to continue the program so I would make her proud. He was not only an outstanding statistician, visionary, founder but also a noble human being.
November 17, 2014
May you rest in peace, Dr. Zelen. A grateful student
Steve Horvath
November 17, 2014
I am very sad to hear that Marvin passed away. He was a truly wonderful teacher, scientist, and wonderful human being.
Best wishes,
Steve Horvath,
UCLA
Dale Myers
November 17, 2014
From my experience with Marvin, I knew him to be a man of encouragement, compassion, and practical wisdom. Knowing him changed my life for the better.
November 17, 2014
My father Samuel Greenhouse and Marvin Zelen were were friends from their Biostatistics days. Marvin and Thelma have been names that I grew up with and we spent much time together. It saddens me that there are no more of the "original" group. My thoughts to all of the family on this great loss.
Joan Greenhouse Goldstein (daughter of Sam and Selma Greenhouse)
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
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Memorial Events
for MARVIN ZELEN
Nov
18
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
at his late residence
MA
Nov
19
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
at his late residence
MA
Nov
20
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
at his late residence
MA
Nov
21
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
at his late residence
MA
Funeral services provided by:
Stanetsky Memorial Chapel - Brookline1668 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02445
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