Eric Walter Hahn Ph.D.

Hahn, Dr. Eric Walter – Our father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, dear friend, and respected cancer research scientist died May 9, 2024 in Inverness, Florida. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 1, 1932, to Erich and Sarah (nee Feustel) Hahn.

Eric was raised in Queens, NY, graduating from Richmond Hill High School in 1950. In 1954, he graduated from the University of Georgia, Athens and went on to serve as a radio operator in the U.S. Army in Germany and France. Upon his return to New York in 1956, he married his Church sweetheart, Janet Krobak to whom he was happily married for 58 years before her passing.

The newlyweds started their journey at the University of Georgia where Eric returned to pursue his graduate studies. Soon they moved to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where Eric earned his PhD in radiation biology. There, they joyfully welcomed their first two children, Eric Craib in 1958, and Korina Katherine in 1960.

Next, they were off to the University of Rochester where Eric established himself as a scientist. In 1962, their youngest child, Charles Gregor, was born. Eric then accepted a teaching position at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

In 1969, the family returned to New York making a new home for themselves in Westbury, Long Island. Eric became a well-published scientist in the field of radiation oncology and his own laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute.

Adventures awaited when in 1983, Eric and Janet not only built their retirement home in Inverness, Florida, but also relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to serve at King Faisal Research Hospital. Next, they moved to Heidelberg, Germany where Eric became faculty as a full professor at the University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center. Until well into the late 1990's in "retirement", he not only continued in Heidelberg as a visiting professor, but also as a consultant for Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Detroit, publishing in the field of radiation oncology. No matter where they went, Eric and Janet created and fostered steadfast friendships.

Eric had a creative and engineering mind. When not working on innovative approaches to treating cancer, Eric enjoyed accomplishing large and small projects around the home and especially refinishing the furniture that he and Janet collected during their many travels.

The Lutheran Church was always important to Eric who loved to share his talents by singing in the choir.

To the last day of his long life, Eric enjoyed staying in touch with his large family and many friends via social media, doing multiple daily crossword puzzles, and reading thrillers and mysteries. He was lovingly cared for in his Inverness home by his daughter Kory and her husband, Dave.

Eric was predeceased by his beloved wife Janet in 2014, and his dear friend June Dreger-Parsons in February of 2024. He is survived by his three children Eric (Jennifer), Korina (David Wilson), and Charlie (Ursula), 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness Tuesday, 14 May 2024 from 5 to 7pm.

A service of remembrance will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hernando on Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 11 am with a light lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The burial service will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Inverness.