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ARTHUR KARLIN Obituary

Name: Service for ARTHUR KARLIN
Start: 2024-10-19T18:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Paul's Chapel on Columbia's Morningside campus

KARLIN--Arthur. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons celebrates the life and mourns the passing of Arthur Karlin, PhD, an extraordinarily accomplished biochemist and a longtime member of our faculty. After receiving his B.A. from Swarthmore and his PhD from Rockefeller University, Dr. Karlin joined the Columbia community in 1962, as a research assistant, and remained here for the rest of his professional life. He retired this past July after 62 years of service, as the Higgins Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics; Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, and Neurology; and Director of the Center for Molecular Recognition. For several summers, he was Director of the Neurobiology Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. His accomplishments were legion, most notable among them his work on the acetylcholine receptor -- his pioneering research elucidated its structure and function, knowledge that would not have been possible without his formidable intelligence, spirit of inquiry, and expertise across numerous fields, including biochemistry, chemistry, and pharmacology. Among other honors, he became a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1999. Generations of our students knew him as an inspiring and gifted teacher; he was a beloved colleague, empathic mentor, and cherished friend. A service celebrating Dr. Karlin's life and legacy will be held on October 19 at 2pm, at St. Paul's Chapel on Columbia's Morningside campus -- all are welcome. We offer our condolences to his wife, Cynthia Rollings; his children Oliver (m. Hemmendy) and Abigail Doheny, and Daniel, Samuel, Emma, and Joseph (m. Christina), grandchildren and extended family. Stavros Lomvardas Ph.D. Roy and Diana Vagelos Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Neuroscience Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Zuckerman Institute Columbia University

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Published by New York Times on Sep. 29, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for ARTHUR KARLIN

22 Entries

Donna Mielke

January 8, 2025

Here it is several months after the fact that I am just learning of Arthur's passing. Cynthia, my condolences to you and all of the family. I did my first lab rotation with Arthur as a new graduate student and he ended up serving as co-advisor for my dissertation research. His influence and guidance were inestimable in teaching critical thinking and how to conduct science, but he also very generously took a somewhat sheltered Midwesterner under his wing and taught me how to survive and thrive in NYC.
My thanks to both of you in that regard. You were so welcoming when I was still getting used to Columbia and NYC. It was a long time ago now, so I don't expect you to remember me out of the many people Arthur mentored through his career, but I occasionally baby sat Daniel and Sam. In fact, one of those times they gave me chickenpox! Arthur tried to spin the whole thing by telling me that I would be glad to have already been through it when someday my own children came down with it. I hate to admit that he was right.
I notice that Ron Kaback's son wrote an entry above. I still laugh when recalling Arthur's reaction to receiving a Cuban cigar I smuggled back from a trip to Switzerland. He immediately lit it, put his feet up on his office desk, and placed a call to Ron where he gloated, "Guess what I'm doing right now!"
Arthur's hearty laugh and joy in living life fully are what I recall most fondly. I hope your memories will bring you comfort.

Donna Mielke

Chaojian Wang

November 3, 2024

Dr. Karlin was my postdoctoral mentor between 2001-2004 but he would be my lifetime model in academy and life. He planned the experiment in a perfect way and purely enjoyed science by using mathematics methods to interpret the cys -cys cross linking amino acid position from biological research, he also taught us" Don´t cry for the spilled milk " to face any failure so he actively walked the long way in his career. His kindness, generosity and the love for others are remembered! God be with you!

Jesko Koehnke

October 24, 2024

Dear Cynthia,
I just learned of Arthur's death and would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Arthur taught a course on transmembrane proteins when I was a PhD student at Columbia from 2005-10. Completely preoccupied with lab work, I tried to get through the course without actually attending it. Needless to say that Arthur was not having any of it, and he gave me a pile of additional work to make up for the times I had missed class. To say I was unhappy is an understatement. As we went through our weekly meetings though, I came to appreciate the time Arthur was willing to spend with me, his razor sharp intellect and his kindness. He has had a lasting impact on how I approach scientific challenges and, now a professor myself, how I teach.
Best wishes,
Jesko Koehnke

ORQUIDEA MASSARONGO

October 23, 2024

My condolences to the Family, in particular Cynthia

Justice Naceesay Salla - Wadda

October 23, 2024

Dear Cynthia,

Just leant of the very sad passing of your husband. I wish to express my sincere condolences to you and your family on this sad loss and I pray that God comforts you and grants you the strength to bear this very sad loss.

Amie Njie, IHRDA

October 22, 2024

My sincere condolences to you Cynthia and the entire family. May God give you the solace and fortitude to bear this great loss!

Samuel Silverstein

October 20, 2024

Dear Cynthia,

I regret that I learned only today (October 20th), of Arthur's death. I am very sorry to receive this news. Arthur was a good friend, a highly valued and most important co-investigator and co-author of some of my most important research papers, and a key member of the Executive Committee of the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics during my Chairmanship of the department. My sympathies are with you and the members of your family at this most unhappy time.

Sam Silverstein

Chris Clarke

October 20, 2024

Will miss a friend on the tennis courts - You were an inspiration

Joachim

October 19, 2024

I have known Art since the early 80s when I had the first go at the acetylcholine receptor with my single-particle programs. It was on his initiative that I got my first invitation to speak at Columbia University, and even be considered for recruitment early on. When I finally joined the BMB department, in 2008, he was the first to invite me for a welcome lunch in the Heights. Besides our professional interests we were drawn together by our common interest in poetry. I wished I'd had more time to spend in his warm, inspiring company as a colleague and friend.

Camille, Reid & Cada Collums

Planted Trees

The Kaback Family

October 19, 2024

I am Ron Kaback´s son George Kaback. Arthur and Ron were best friends for a good portion of their lives. They both grew up in Philadelphia and they played football against each other while in college. Earlier then that Arthur was friends with my mother and and her cousins. Arthur and Ron shared an affinity for joke telling that was on display whenever they were together. My parents moved to California in 1989 and whenever Ron was back in New York the first thing he would want to do is see Arthur. It was obvious that when they were together there was a strong emotional connection. I am sure that this strong connection provided solace and support to both Ron and my mother when my brother died. My family is eternally grateful that Arthur was present on that tragic day. My mother, my sister Elizabeth and myself offer condolences to Cynthia and the entire Karlin family.

Qiang (Casey) Xu and Jing (Jerry) Li

October 18, 2024

Arthur was like a father figure to us. He helped us tremendously both on work and establishing our life in the U.S. when we first came to America almost a quarter of century earlier. We are glad that we were able to see Arthur several times long after we left Columbia University. Thank you Arthur! You will be forever remembered.

Robert C. Young

Planted Trees

Lynn Sandler Hubschman

October 7, 2024

Arthur and I grew up together in Philadelphia where our parents were best friends
We shared time together when in college and he was a part of my past that I remember fondly

Gerry Fischbach

October 7, 2024

A wonderful friend at many levels in ny and woods hole. A
Role model for so many. He is missed!

Sarah and Alistair Dunn

October 7, 2024

In one of life´s true coincidences we were driving through Woods Hole yesterday and reminiscing about coming up to stay with you there in the summer of 1994 or 1995, only to receive news of Arthur´s death a few hours later .

We are so very sorry to hear the news and just wanted to pass our condolences to the entire family- you were all so welcoming when we first moved to Chappaqua 31 years ago.

I am sorry we won´t be able to come to Arthur´s service next Saturday - we are committed to babysitting Jack´s 2 boys in Rhode Island while they go to a wedding.
But We will be thinking of you all and raise a glass to Arthur.

We are still in chappaqua so if you are ever passing through do let us know

Sarah and Alistair

Xxxx

Shimon Schuldiner

October 7, 2024

Dear Arthur,
I am going to miss you dearly, my good friend. I remember our first encounters while I was a young postdoc when you were visiting Ron Kaback. We spent many hours listening to your spirited arguments with Ron about science and the quality of your tennis: two superb biochemists and old friends who spent many hours on the tennis courts.
Your seminal work on the Acetylcholine receptor was a cornerstone of the curriculum of the courses I taught, inspiring my students with your exceptional contributions to the field.
I loved your visits to Israel and your beautiful stories about your experiences during the early times of our country. Our visits to the Israel Museum were a fantastic experience with your knowledge of many artists whose works were exhibited at various times.
Though filled with disappointment, your final message from the hospital was a testament to your unwavering spirit. Despite adversity, you thought of us, regretted missing my son's seminar, and maintained your trademark humor.

Our hearts go out to your family during this sad time. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Shimon Schuldiner, Jerusalem

Prof. Etana Padan

October 6, 2024

I am Etana Padan from The Institute of Life Sciences Hebrew University Of Jerusalem Israel.
Dear Arthur was a very good colleague and friend. He visited us many times and participated not only in science but also was interested in Israeli affairs. His knowledge and empathy together were always inspiring.
Many thanks Arthur
Etana Padan

Lorna Role

October 2, 2024

a fierce advocate for our favorite receptor and an awesome colleague and collaborator.

Alan & Joan Finkelstein

October 2, 2024

Long term friend and colleague, you will be much missed

harvey gorrin

September 30, 2024

of all of the professors that I had in my collsge and graduate education Arthur, You were my favorite. I miss you already

Harvey Gorrin