Norman Sutin

1928 - 2022

Sutin - Norman, passed away on January 31, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in Ceres, South Africa on September 16, 1928. His parents, Louis and Clara Sutin, had emigrated from Puchovichi, Belarus in 1892. Norman graduated from University of Cape Town with degrees in Chemistry and Physics in 1948, and earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge, Trinity College, in 1953. Norman was married for over 50 years to Bonita Sakowski Sutin (1933-2018). He was predeceased by his two children, Louis Anthony (1959-2002) and Cara Ruth (1962-1997). Norman is survived by daughter-in-law, Margaret Lawton; and beloved grandchildren, Henry and Clara Sutin. He will be deeply missed by his nephew, David and wife,

Debbie Sutin and their children; nephew, Selwyn Klein; nieces, Linda Sutin, Claire Glassman, Lindsey Grothkopp, and Hillary Ginsberg; sisters-in-law, Gayle Sakowski and Myra Sutin; as well as grandnieces in South Africa and the U.S. Norman was known for his warm and modest nature and his ability to mesmerize children with magic tricks. He liked gardening and discussing science. Norman will also be deeply missed by family, friends, and scientific colleagues from around the world. Norman moved to the U.S. in 1956 and worked for more than 50 years at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Norman helped establish many of the fundamental ideas about electron-transfer reactions, in particular elucidating the factors that control the rates of these reactions. He was one of the first to show that many biological reactions are also controlled by the same factors and can be studied using his methods. Norman later went on to develop schemes for artificial photosynthesis and showed how it was possible to sensitize semiconductors with simple inorganic metal ions for use in solar energy devices. He was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 1990. Norman's scientific work was marked by modesty, rigor, and deep physical insight. Services will be held on Monday, February 7, at Bryant Funeral Home in Port Jefferson, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Doctors Without Borders.