Irwin G. Leder

Irwin G. Leder, 105 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 19, 2025 at Edenwald Senior Living Community in Towson, MD. He was the oldest resident of Edenwald and one of the oldest in the State of Maryland. He was predeceased by his wife of 80 years, Anna H. Leder, who died August 26, 2024.
Irwin was the oldest of three children; he had twin sisters, Gloria and Mary, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn College. There, he met his future bride, Anna Hankin. He enlisted in the Army during WWII serving as a radar specialist, then a new technology. After completing his service, he married Anna on October 28, 1945.
He pursued his PhD in biochemistry on the GI Bill from Duke University. While attending Duke, Anna and Irwin had their first two children, Janet and Steven. Paul, their youngest son, followed five years later.
The Leders lived in Kensington, Maryland for over 55 years, where they raised their three children. Irwin worked as a biochemist for N.I.H. for virtually all of his postgraduate career. He focused his experimental research on blood enzymes, publishing numerous scientific articles.
At home, Irwin applied his mechanical skills to repairing every household appliance or system. For example, he diagnosed and replaced the vacuum tubes on the family's black & white television; built a shed in the backyard; repaired the furnace; tinkered with the plumbing; and maintained a succession of Peugeots, some identical to those driven by Columbo.
Irwin was a gourmet who labored to make his own delicacies. He baked French bread, brioche, and bagels. He roasted coffee, brewed beer, made wine and gravlax.
He and Anna loved to travel, returning to France numerous times. The couple visited England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, Greece, Israel and China.
Anna and Irwin moved to Edenwald Senior Living Center in Towson in 2014 to be close to their son, Steve and their daughter-in-law, Gerri.
Irwin is survived by his three children, his daughter, Janet Leder (Stephen) of Chicago, Il.; Steven Leder (Gerri) of Easton, MD; and Paul Leder (Nadia) of Maynard, MA, a nephew and several nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Edenwald on January 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.