Gerhard Meissner
January 26, 1937 - May 1, 2021
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Gerhard Wilhelm Meissner was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on January 26, 1937. Dr. Meissner received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Free University of Berlin, Germany, and a Ph.D. degree in Physical Chemistry from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany in 1965. He was a Gosney Fellow and Volkswagenstiftung Fellow at the California Institute of Technology, Fellow of the Biophysical Society and an Established Investigator of the American Heart Association. Dr. Meissner joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and was appointed Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in 1986. During his tenure at UNC Chapel Hill, Dr. Meissner received continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health that included two NIH MERIT Awards from 1990-2000 and 2010-2021. His major research interests included determining the structure and function of ion channels and calcium signaling in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Dr. Meissner died on May 1, 2021 and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth M. Wilson, and sons Eric G. Meissner and Geoffrey W. Meissner. There will be a graveside memorial gathering arranged by Walker's Funeral Home at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, Highway 15-501 and Legion Road on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10 AM.

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Published by The News & Observer on May 5, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerhard Meissner

Sponsored by Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.

14 Entries

Sue Taylor Yeyeodu

July 11, 2022

Gerhard was patient, consistent, and kind as a mentor so many years ago now. It was a joy working in his lab, especially when Ed Darling or someone else could get a chuckle out of him ;) He had a way of attracting people who were not only excellent scientists, but also kind and caring people like himself. He was willing to go the extra mile with us, including helping me wrestle goats to make T-tubule antibodies! ;) So sorry not to have known before now... Betty, Eric and Geoff, what a huge loss... You will continue to be in my prayers...

Venkata Reddy Chirasani

August 29, 2021

I was working as PostDoc in Dr. Meissner lab. He was very supportive and encouraging in each and every aspect. We compiled a manuscript and submitted to JBC for potential publication. We were actively working on the rebuttal before the sad demise of Dr. Meissner. Today, our paper got published. At this moment, I would like to pay tribute to such a great mentor, philosopher, and guide. May his soul rest in peace.

Asima Chakraborty

June 8, 2021

I just heard the news this morning, and I am deeply saddened. I have worked with him as a post-doc, and found 'the mentor' in him. Dr. Meissner has taught me a lot, not by words, but by his own actions. He led by example. Thank you so much Dr. Meissner for giving me the wonderful opportunity to learn from you.

Laurie Betts

May 6, 2021

Gerhard was one of my first professors at UNC, in the early 1980s. He was a terrific teacher and dedicated scientist, and above all, a lovely human being. We always stopped and chatted over the years on campus. My sincere condolences to Dr. Elizabeth Meissner and their family.

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Ron Grunwald

May 6, 2021

Condolences to Betty and the family. Gerhard was a wonderful advisor. He respected his students, even when I was quirky, distracted, or slightly off track. He taught by example, an exemplar of a good scientist (follow the data!) and a good father (home by 6!). I'm forever grateful for his support, his guidance, and for his many years at UNC. Ron, PhD'96

Wolfgang Bergmeier

May 6, 2021

Dear Meissner family. I have been a colleague of Gerhard for 10 years. I am very saddened by his sudden passing. He was a trusted colleague and a dedicated researcher. The last time I talked to him was when he closed out his lab - he had lots of wonderful stories about pretty much every piece of equipment in his lab. He will be greatly missed.

Le Xu and Qi Liu

Sent Flowers

Naohiro Yamaguchi

Sent Flowers

Naohiro Yamaguchi and the family

May 5, 2021

Dr. Meissner always showed me the right directions in my life. He was the great teacher, mentor, collaborator, and father in my US life. We miss him so much. Our deepest sympathies to the Meissner family.

Nikolay Dokholyan

May 5, 2021

I will miss Gerhard very much as a colleague and a friend. Gerhard has been a kind and very engaged person and it was really fun working with him. We have published eleven papers together during our collaboration. Several of my students and postdocs worked closely with Gerhard: Srinivas Ramachandran, Adrian Serohijos, David Shirvanyants, David Mowrey, Raul Mendez-Giraldez, and Venkat Chirasani. Working on the ryanodine receptors was one of the very exciting times in my career and I will miss Gerhard as a colleague and a friend.

Dan & Lowri O’Donnell

May 5, 2021

Sending the Meissner family our condolences, such an accomplished and dedicated man who I’m sure will be greatly missed by his work colleagues, his family and grandchildren.
Rest In Peace Gerhard “Opa”.

aziz sancar

May 5, 2021

He was an outstanding scientists who brought honor to our department and our university. He was also a humble man with an understated sense of humor. I always considered him a friend and felt fortunate to have such a colleague. I will miss him greatly. My condolences to Elizabeth, Eric and Geoffrey.

Brian Strahl

May 5, 2021

Gerhard was an amazing scientist and person. Always kind and helpful to others around him. I am deeply sorry for your loss and know he will be greatly missed.

Lynn Ray

May 5, 2021

I have not known him as long as some within the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, but the time that I have had with him is very special. He was a gentle man and a dedicated researcher who added to the faculty of our department. He will be missed greatly and I am very sorry for your loss.

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