Michael G. Rossmann

West Lafayette - Michael G. Rossmann died peacefully in his sleep on May 14th at University Place in West Lafayette, Indiana. Michael was born on July 30th, 1930 in Frankfurt, Germany. He immigrated with his mother to London, England in 1939 as World War II ignited. He attended Saffron Walden Friends (Quaker) Boarding School, went on to The University of London receiving a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics and Physics and then a Master's of Science in Physics in 1953.

He then moved to Glasgow, Scotland to complete a PhD at the University of Glasgow in Chemistry Crystallography. Michael met his future wife and mother of his children, Audrey Pearson, on a vacation in Spain. They were married a year later at the Adel Friends (Quaker) Meeting House in Leeds on July 24th, 1954.

By the time he had completed his studies, their first two children, Martin and Alice were born. The family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Michael was a post-doctoral scientist. In 1958 they moved to Cambridge, England where Michael was a Research Associate at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology under Max Perutz. In 1959 they had their third child, Heather.

In 1964 the family moved to West Lafayette where Michael joined the Purdue University Faculty. He stayed more than 50 years, becoming the Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London. Michael had a passion for his work. The best way to learn and discover was to discuss and share. He wanted everyone to share his passion and he shared the passion that others had.

Michael created a dynamic group at Purdue with an overwhelming number of publications and discoveries from early in his career to the very end. To quote Richard Kuhn, one of Michael's close collaborators, "His work has made a real impact across the globe; the world is safer from infectious viruses because of his dedicated work." A few of these viruses are the common cold, dengue and very recently (2016) Michael and colleagues made headlines when they found the structure of the Zika virus. With the structures known, it becomes a much easier job to find vaccines.

Michael was not just about science, he was a true renaissance man. He loved hiking and camping, sailing, skiing, history and being a part of the art world with Audrey. He loved going to the theater and the best evenings for him were dinner with family and ¬friends discussing everything from politics, science, and where to travel on the next family holiday.

Michael lost his soulmate and wife of 55 years in 2009. He was very fortunate to meet Karen Bogan in 2015. They were married May 1st, 2018, and had a very happy loving relationship. They adored each other.

Michael is survived by his three children, Martin Rossmann of West Lafayette, Indiana; Alice (Per Rune) Rossmann of Oslo, Norway; Heather (Dennis) Rossmann Bossé of Brewer, Maine; and his four grandchildren Martina Bossé, Chase (Nikki) Bossé, Marit Rossmann and Erin (Pierce) Arvidson. His second wife Karen Bogan of West Lafayette, Indiana; and her three children Jay (Pamela) Bogan of Noblesville, Indiana; Tammy Page of Bladenboro, North Carolina; Tonia (Mark) Key of Indianapolis, Indiana; and her seven grandchildren Nicholas (Gabrielle) Partridge, Alexander Key, Benjamin Key, Christopher Key, Zackary Taylor, April Sellers, Tiffany Page and three great grandchildren Harper Partridge, Hailey Partridge, Sierria Sellers.

A meeting in his memory will be held at 10am on Friday May 24th at University Place, 1700 Lindberg Rd., West Lafayette in accordance with the Quaker tradition. Doors will open at 9am for people that would like to mingle and visit with the family, but do not have time to stay for the memorial meeting. Immediately following the service there will be a reception with light refreshments again where friends and family can reminisce. Please feel free to come and stay or simply give your quick condolences.

Instead of flowers it is suggested that donations be made to Doctors Without Borders. (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/)

You may sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com

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

Published by Journal & Courier on May 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Rossmann

Sponsored by Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – West Lafayette Chapel.

6 Entries

Glauce Barbosa

May 24, 2019

I am very grateful for all the opportunities and support Michael Rossmann has given me during the time I spent in his laboratory. He became a great inspiration for me with his generosity and passion for science.
Glauce Barbosa, Brazil

Gale and Pam Rhodes

May 21, 2019

A sabbatical year in Michaels lab (1984-85) was a highlight of my academic career, working among scientists of the highest calibre, as a hiatus from teaching in small schools with few colleagues with whom to share deepest interests. Michaels dogged questioning of everything was a great example for me, and motivated me to come over-prepared for research and literature meetings, or even for just hallway conversations with him. As Audrey and Michael did with all lab members and their families, they made me, my wife Pam, and our two children feel like a part of their family. Audrey instructed Anne in pottery, and Michael instructed Nick in chess and sailing. They were like another great set of grandparents for our children. Strange to imagine the world without those two, but they live on in their offspring, both familial and intellectual, and to all of them, our sincere condolences.

Cyndi Whatley

May 17, 2019

What I love to remember is when he, his wife & Heather took me sailing with them!! I got a serious burn but really loved sailing with them, wish I could've done it more than one time, and today!!

Carrie Nadeau

May 17, 2019

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers arecwithnyou...Hugs

,Karen Patton

May 17, 2019

We are very sorry that the world has lost such a valuable treasure. Michael was a hero to many people and in so many ways. May we all pray for him, his loved ones and the world and may we all follow his examples to make the world a better place for everyone. Love and condolences to all.

May 16, 2019

To Michael's family, sorry for your loss. Jeremiah 29:11, 12 assures us that God is thinking thoughts of peace towards us, to give us a future and a hope, and that if we come and pray to Him, He will listen to us. May that bring you comfort at this difficult time.

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