HOWARD B. EICHENBAUM

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HOWARD EICHENBAUM Obituary

EICHENBAUM, Howard B. Of Needham and Chatham, formerly of Wellesley, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University, and an internationally recognized figure in advancing our understanding of the fundamental nature and brain mechanisms of memory died, in Boston on July 21, 2017, following recent spine surgery at age 69. Eichenbaum's contributions to the field of memory research were profound; elucidating the mechanisms underlying memory and its organization in the brain, including the discovery of "time cells" in the hippocampus. Eichenbaum joined the BU faculty after obtaining a BS in cell biology and a PhD in Psychology at the University of Michigan, completing a post-doctoral fellowship in the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, then holding faculty positions at Wellesley College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and SUNY Stony Brook. Eichenbaum served as founding Director of the BU Center for Memory and Brain and of the Cognitive Neurobiology Laboratory, after having earlier founded both the Undergraduate Program for Neuroscience and the Graduate Program for Neuroscience. Eichenbaum's non-science pursuits included coaching his two sons' Little League baseball teams for many years, taking his sons around the country to catch a game at every Major League Baseball Park in America that spanned summers across 15 years, kayaking in the waters off Chatham and rooting passionately for his Boston Red Sox and University of Michigan teams. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Karen J. Shedlack; two sons, both pursuing graduate studies, Alexander E. Eichenbaum, at Washington State University and Adam S. Eichenbaum, at the University of California - Berkeley; 100-year-old mother, Edith (Kahn) Eichenbaum of San Diego; brother, Jerold Eichenbaum of San Diego and sister, Miriam Eichenbaum Drop of Los Angeles. A memorial will be announced at a later date. Online guestbook at gfdoherty.com. George F. Doherty & Sons Needham 781-444-0687

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Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 24 to Jul. 26, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for HOWARD EICHENBAUM

13 Entries

December 7, 2017

I am so shocked and saddened to hear about Howard's tragic death. I was one of his early honors thesis students at Wellesley, graduating with a BA in Psychobiology. It was such an exciting time in the field of learning and memory, and Howard's enthusiasm was infectious! It's because of his love of the brain and research and wonderful mentorship that I ditched my plans to attend medschool and instead went on to receive a PhD in Neuroscience. Now as a professor with my own research lab, I appreciate even more the commitment he made to foster enthusiasm for science and scientific research at the undergraduate level. Howard, tonight I will toast your memory with a large glass of Manischewitz (like we used to do in the old days), with a newfound sense of loss but also gratitude for what you meant to me. Here's to a truly great man! Anne Fagan, Wellesley class of 1984

Herb Shuer

August 14, 2017

So sorry to learn of your loss- and the research world's. Please accept my condolences ,Karen, Adam and Alex. Cherish his memory and share the good times you shared. Be well.

Francesco Gobbo

August 8, 2017

It was an honour to meet you, Sir.

Shelley Russek David Farb

August 2, 2017

Dear Karen, Adam, and Alex,
Please accept our most sincere condolences on the immense loss that you must be experiencing. Howard was a special man in so many ways and we too will miss him greatly. He was a valued collaborator, mentor, and friend who will never be forgotten. May you find some peace in knowing how much he touched the lives of so many.

Upi Bhalla

July 29, 2017

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Howard's loss. He was a very supportive mentor and colleague and I had been working on a review with his encouragement. We had been hoping to have him visit us soon in Bangalore to spread his enthusiasm and wisdom. My condolences to all who were near him.

Upi Bhalla, NCBS, Bangalore

Aras Petrulis

July 27, 2017

It is hard to believe that Howard is gone. He was filled so much vitality, intellectual curiosity and magnanimity of spirit. My deepest condolences to the Eichenbaum family.

Kristen Harris

July 26, 2017

We are in shock at the loss of our colleague, friend and inspiration in th efield. Howard brought love and energy to neuroscience and all who he touched. Howard was truly my inspiration while I was a faculty member at BU and I miss him greatly.

My warmest condolences to all who know Howard and especially to his family in Boston and colleagues around the world.
warmest regards, Kristen Harris

Steve Mahler

July 25, 2017

My condolences to Dr. Eichenbaum's friends and family. As a junior neuroscientist, I can attest that Dr. Eichenbaum's research was seminal to the field of memory neuroscience. But i can also personally attest that he was perhaps equally impactful in his unusually generous mentorship, and his willingness to share his advice and expert opinion to all who asked- even lowly grad students. A great loss for the field, for any who didn't get a chance to meet him, for wolverines everywhere, and for the world.

Stephen Maren

July 25, 2017

This is a terrible loss for Howard's family and I give them my best wishes in this difficult time. Losing Howard is also an incredible loss for neuroscience. He was an outstanding scientist and a brilliant mind that pushed all of us to new heights. I have known Howard for many years. He was deeply attached to the University of Michigan where I was a young faculty member in the late 90's when he visited. We have common intellectual interests and had many opportunities to chat. I recently asked Howard to serve as my mentor for a university fellowship that asked recipients to secure mentorship from THE TOP scientist in their field. Howard gladly accepted, and said that he was happy to work with me because he felt he had as much to learn from me as I did from him. And this sentiment defines Howard--he was an incredible scholar who was fundamentally interested in science and ideas. He will be deeply missed by so many of his colleagues. His family should know that while he was a son, dad, and husband, he was an extremely talented and brilliant man revered in our field. We will miss you Howard, but your work and ideas are indelible and will have a lasting impact on generations to come.

Victor Di Cristina

July 25, 2017

A sad loss of our neighbor. Our prayers to Karen and her family for their loss..
On behalf of the neighbors of the Cranberry lane Association
sincere condolences are extended to the Eichenbaum family. We will miss Howard.

July 25, 2017

I am truly sorry about the loss of your loved one. May the peace of God strengthen and support your family to endure this difficult time. Deepest sympathies.

July 25, 2017

May you draw peace and comfort from Hosea 13:14. L ohio

Elena pellegrino

July 25, 2017

Karen and family, I am so very sorry. I am in shock and imagine you all are too. Sending you all love and peace during this time.

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