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DONALD PELS Obituary

PELS--Donald A. The trustees, faculty, students, and staff of The Rockefeller University mourn the loss of our cherished friend Donald A. Pels, an esteemed member of our Board of Trustees for more than two decades. Donald Pels joined The Rockefeller University Board of Trustees in 1993 and was elected Emeritus Trustee in 2003. Over the years, Don served on many Board committees, including Audit, Budget and Operations, Development, and Technology Transfer. His participation in the work of these committees and his commitment to advancing scientific research greatly strengthened the University. Early in his involvement at Rockefeller, Don took a leadership role by establishing the Pels Family Center for Biochemistry and Structural Biology. Through his gift creating the Pels Family Center, he helped recruit several outstanding early-career faculty, providing them with enhanced opportunities to share ideas and collaborate. Don was deeply interested in the young investigators he supported, and he derived enormous pleasure from meeting with them to learn about their work. Don's passion for scientific inquiry led him to establish the Pels Family Professorship, an endowed chair for a senior faculty member. Don and his wife, Wendy Keys, also supported many other initiatives at Rockefeller, including the Tri-Institutional Noon Concert Series. Beyond Rockefeller, Don will be remembered for his service on the boards of a number of prestigious institutions, including the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and the Philharmonic Symphony Society of New York, and his active engagement in the cultural life of New York City. Don will be greatly missed by the Rockefeller campus community. We send our heartfelt condolences to Don's beloved wife, Wendy; his three children, Juliette, Valerie and Laurence; and his entire family. David Rockefeller, Honorary Chairman Russell Carson, Chairman Richard Furlaud, Chairman Emeritus Marc Tessier-Lavigne, President Torsten Wiesel, President Emeritus Tarun Kapoor, Pels Family Professor

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Oct. 19, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for DONALD PELS

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6 Entries

Sam Szurek

November 5, 2014

My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. I offer you my thoughts and well-wishes during this difficult time.

Howard Freeman

October 27, 2014

Never met the Pelses but was the beneficiary of Asphalt Green as a kid on the UES and also, as an adult, The High Line. Thank you, Pels family.

Roger

October 27, 2014

So sorry for your loss, be comforted by your memories shared together,the promise of God to dry our tears and do away with death and pain, and the support of love ones

William Buehner

October 24, 2014

I hope that Donald's son, Laurence, will see this. Laurence is/was one of my all-time favorites during his time at Salisbury School in Connecticut. He is testimony to the good upbringing of his parents. I have tried to reach him personally without success. Laurence...if you see this, my email is; [email protected]

October 22, 2014

It is with great respect and awe that I write with regard to a man who died with dignity and peace surrounded with love... Ellen

Betty Osman

October 18, 2014

I remember Don so well from New Rochelle high school and the wonderful person he was. I'm not surprised by all his achievements . Betty Barshad Osman

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