FRIDOLIN SULSER Obituary

SULSER--Fridolin, M.D.

December 2, 1926 - January 3, 2016. Dr. Fridolin Sulser, who devoted his life to understanding the physiological basis of mental disorders and their treatment, died on January 3, 2016 at age 89, surrounded by loving family. He is survived by his brother, Emil Sulser of Maienfeld, Switzerland, wife, Johanna Mooser Sulser, and children Anna (Sulser) Newton, Adrian Sulser, Daniel Sulser, and Bettina (Sulser) Bryant, along with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dr. Sulser was born in Grabs, Switzerland and grew up in the town of Maienfeld, amidst his beloved Swiss Alps. He graduated from the Humanistische Gymnasium in Chur in 1947, attended Medical School at the University of Basel (pre-clinical) and the University of Zurich (clinical), graduating with an M.D. in 1955. He served as a medical officer in the Swiss Army, married the love of his life, Johanna, and moved with his wife and infant daughter to begin a position as assistant professor at the University of Bern. The family's great American adventure began in the fall of 1958 when Fridolin accepted a post-doctoral fellowship in Neuropsychopharmacology at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, M.D. Four years later, he went to Burroughs Wellcome Research Labs in New York as Head of Pharmacology. In 1965 he joined the Vanderbilt University Medical School Faculty as professor and Director of the Pharmacology Research Center, becoming a Professor Emeritus of the University in 2000. Dr. Sulser received many honors during his research career, including the prestigious Anna-Monika Prize, and was a Fellow and President of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology as well as a Fellow of the Collegium International Neuro-Psychopharmacolo- gium. He was a very proud father and grandfather, who celebrated the childrens' successes as they pursued their chosen paths. He found inspiration in nature, literature, philosophy and the fine arts. Memorial Service: January 24 at 4pm at the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Church, 374 Hicks Road, Nashville, TN 37221. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the scholarship fund at Vanderbilt School of Medicine "In Memory of Dr. Fridolin Sulser" (Vanderbilt Gift Processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727) or to the Friends of Radnor Lake "In Memory of Fridolin Sulser" www.radnorlake.org

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 10, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for FRIDOLIN SULSER

6 Entries

FLAMINIO CATTABENI

October 18, 2016

WE HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER. I WAS AT THAT TIME AT NIMH AND WE HA GREAT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL DISORDERS.
SO SOORRY FOR HIS DEPARTURE. BY THE WAY, WE SHARDE SWISS CITIZENSHIP!!

Gloria Hopkins

March 30, 2016

I worked with Dr. Sulser at Vanderbilt, he was my supervisor. He was the best supervisor, very kind, and considerate person. I pray for the family peace. I just learned of his passing.

Shirley and Tim Porterfield McBride

January 24, 2016

We will miss dinners, stimulating conversation, good wine, and the opera with Fridolin. Our deepest sympathy to Johanna, and to Adrian and his family, all dear friends.

January 20, 2016

I want to express our condolences to Johanna and the rest of the Sulser family. I remember Fridolin for not only his brilliant work in the laboratory, but perhaps more for the caring and compassionate colleague and friend he was to my father, Sydney Spector. My father (and mother) adored Fridolin and Johanna. When my father's vision failed to the point where he could no longer drive, Fridolin stepped in picked him up everyday and drove him to and from the lab at Vanderbilt. He was a kind human being who will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and anyone who knew him. I know the gates of Heaven were opened wide for a man who improved the lives of so many. It brings a smile to my face to know that Fridolin and my father are once again together, solving the mysteries of neuropharmacology.

January 18, 2016

Goodbye to a dear old friend and colleague. His wit, wisdom and support will be sorely missed.

S.J. Enna

Samuel Strada

January 14, 2016

Dr. Sulser was my mentor and friend. As his first graduate student at Vanderbilt we worked closely together and I owe much to him in the role he played in my career. Fridolin was a man of boundless enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, with an engaging personality. His contributions in the field of pyschopharmacology towards bettering our understanding of the biochemical and molecular basis for mental illness and the drugs that are used to treat mental disease were extraordinary. There are very few scientists that have contributed as much as he did to this field of research. I am extremely grateful for the role he played in my life and send my heartfelt condolences to his wife Johanna and their family in the loss of this great human being. Fridolin Sulser left many people with great memories and the world a better place. Sam Strada, Dean, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine

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