Robert W. Ledeen

Full Name: Robert W. Ledeen
Date of Death: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Dr. Robert "Bob" Ledeen, a pioneering scientist in neurochemistry and glycobiology, passed away at the age of 96. Dr. Ledeen's groundbreaking work on gangliosides and their connection to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, earned him recognition as one of the most prominent figures in his field.
Dr. Ledeen received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Oregon State University, Corvallis. During his postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago, he was drafted into the Army, where he was thankfully fortunate to be assigned a desk job. Upon completing his military service, he began his illustrious academic career, initially working at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where he eventually became a tenured professor in the Department of Neurology. It was at Albert Einstein, under the mentorship of the renowned Dr. Saul Korey, that Dr. Robert Leeden discovered gangliosides-biomolecules that would become central to his research in neurochemistry and help define his life's work.
In 1991, Dr. Ledeen joined Rutgers Health New Jersey Medical School as a professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience. He remained there for the rest of his career, mentoring students and collaborating with his invaluable neurochemical research team. His dedicated contributions to neurochemistry continued until his passing at the age of 96.
A trailblazer in glycolipid research for more than 50 years, Dr. Ledeen was the first to establish the correct structure of Tay-Sachs ganglioside (GM2) in 1965 and his work on GM1 and genetics led to his present-day work on the beneficial role of GM1 in relation to Parkinson's disease and other autoimmune disorders. Throughout his career, he authored and co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, was the recipient of six federal grants, and his work has been cited in over 9,000 scientific publications.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Ledeen is remembered for his profound devotion to his family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Professor Lydia Hailparn Ledeen, with whom he shared nearly 40 years of marriage. He is survived by his nephews, Craig and Stuart Etlin; his nieces, Gloria Hoekzema and Carol Fiul; his stepdaughters, Troy and Gilly Hailparn; his grandson, Alex Koplin; his great-nieces and nephews, Mieke Cortez, Emmy, Asher, and Cody Etlin; and his great-great-niece, Drew Cortez.
Dr. Ledeen's legacy as a scientist, mentor, and family man will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched, and his contributions to neurochemistry will endure for generations.
Memorial donations in memory of Dr. Ledeen may be made to American Jewish Committee or the charity of you choice.