Paul Feldblum

1953 - 2025

Dr. Paul Jay Feldblum, 72, passed away at his home on Monday, October 6, 2025. He was born August 31, 1953, in New York, New York to the late Leo and Esther Feldblum. He is survived by his wife, Mary T. (Tolly) Boatwright; sons, Joseph T. Feldblum (Amelia O'Rourke-Owens) and Samuel B. Feldblum (Blanca Begert); grandchildren, Isaac and Hazel Owens-Feldblum; sister, Amy Dunham (Michael); brother, Robert A. Fields (Iris); sisters-in-law, Eileen Fields (Elliot Fisch), Attilia Lombardi, and Louisa Boatwright; brother-in-law, Enrique Ucelay-Da Cal; nieces, Brooke Fox (Nick Failer), Erin Jacobs (B.J.), Phoebe Boatwright, and Victoria Boatwright; nephew, Charles Boatwright (Ellen Huynh); cousins, Patti Argoff, Sandra Crother, Elizabeth R. Hammerman, Marjorie Cohen, and Elizabeth Crowley; and five grand-nieces and -nephews.

Paul was an epidemiologist, scholar, researcher, adjunct professor, and alumnus of the Department of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (MSPH '79, PhD '94). As a global public health leader, he was committed to advancing epidemiological research, scholarship, programs, policies and initiatives to improve and transform global reproductive and women's health. After earning his BA from Cornell University in 1975, he received a federal fellowship to attend the UNC School of Public Health, where he earned a Master of Science in Public Health in 1979 and his PhD in 1994. During his career of four decades, he contributed to and led projects in contraceptive effectiveness and safety, HIV incidence and HIV prevention. He worked in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, as well as in Thailand and Vietnam. From each country he gained lasting colleagues and floral shirts for his impressive wardrobe. He spoke at conferences world-wide. He served with distinction in various leadership roles, rising to Senior Epidemiologist at FHI 360, a global human development organization that works on human health, education and civil society programs in over 60 countries. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and invited articles. Belying his overly modest regret that he "never hit one out of the park," his entire career demonstrates the immense impact of dedication to others, scientific curiosity and collaboration.

Paul found extraordinary joy in life and people. He had an enduring delight in basketball, and as late as January was planning a triumphant return to the court after yet another bout of PT. He leaves behind innumerable friends and groups of friends, including the Woollen Basketball crew; Soccer Dads; Boyz on Boats; the Preservationists; neighborhood gardeners; the larger FHI crowd ("Original Pottsies"); and the Thursday Evening Elbow-Benders. His exuberant pleasure in friendship is perhaps best displayed in his semi-annual O'Fest shenanigans with his HS besties Dan Kohler and Norman Raik. We are eternally grateful to these and many others for their amazing love and support during Paul's final illness; special thanks go to our outstanding aides Angelo and Matthew. Paul was also a generous mentor to many at FHI and elsewhere, treating all as valuable peers even while imparting his knowledge, skills and connections. Our backyard hoop, kitchen and den served informally to impart lessons about jump shots, safe sex and loyalty through wins and losses. He was passionate about his passions, from politics ("Paul's five planks for American democracy") through sports (especially the Tar Heels, Yankees and Knicks) to family.

He adored his family and gave them his all. Sports and music events, travel, special meals, hiking: he was there. From their 1981 honeymoon through last October Paul accompanied Tolly to endless Roman museums and sites, so many that he became something of a Rome expert himself. He could not have been more proud of Joseph and Sammy, then Amelia as well. He was an ecstatic grandfather, patiently scrutinizing super-heroes with Isaac and devotedly reading with Hazel. He was frequently seen around Durham sporting his "I'm not retired, I'm a professional Baba" shirt. We miss him more than we can express.

A scientist to the end, Paul donated his body to The Anatomical Gifts Program, Duke School of Medicine in hopes that study of his unique case of ALS – he was diagnosed only June 23, 2025 – will contribute to a cure for this terrible disease.

Paul will ultimately be interred in Bluestem, in Hillsborough. A memorial service will be held in late spring.

Donations in memory of Paul may be made in support of The Paul J. Feldblum Scholarship in Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Please make checks payable to the "UNC-CH Public Health Foundation" and mail to: UNC-Chapel Hill, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (please note "In memory of Paul Feldblum" or "Paul J. Feldblum Scholarship in Epidemiology" in the memo line) or donate online here go.unc.edu/paulfeldblum.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.