Esther L. Sprenkel-Segel
September 29, 2016
Wilmette, IL
Esther L. Sprenkel-Segel passed away late on Thursday, September 29, in Wilmette, following a brief illness.
Born in 1931, Esther lived a long and full life. With her husband, Ralph E. Segel, she enjoyed 56 years of marriage; three children, Dan, Ginger and Tanya; and nine grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Sophie, Harry, Alex, Peter, Oscar, Charlie, Owen, Elle and Tate.
Esther was born and raised in York, where she served as valedictorian of her class at William Penn Senior High School and returned regularly for reunions. She went on to major in math at Goucher College and earn a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from the University of Rochester. She and Ralph met at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, where she did her thesis research with the Nobel laureate Ray Davis. Her career continued at Argonne National Lab and on the faculty at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
A graveside service at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 12:45 p.m. Those attending should meet at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to the cemetery located at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., York. A memorial service is being planned for next January near her home in Wilmette, Illinois.
Arrangements by the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 1111 E Market St., York.
www.etzweilerfuneralhome.com