Dr. Jaak Panksepp

Dr. Jaak Panksepp, 73, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 in Bowling Green, Ohio, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Panksepp was born on June 5, 1943 in Tartu, Estonia to the late Rudolph and Salme (Leet) Panksepp. He married Anesa Miller in 1991 and she survives him in Bowling Green.

Dr. Panksepp was a Professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in the Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy and Pharmacology and Physiology Department. Prior to his work at Washington State University, Dr. Panksepp taught at Bowling Green State University where he was a Neuroscientist in the Psychology Department retiring in 1998. During his career at BGSU, Dr. Panksepp did extensive research and helped develop the still controversial opioid-antagonist therapy for autistic children along with pursuing new therapies for the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), and depression. Dr. Panksepp also served as an Adjunct Professor for the Medical College of Ohio (UTMC). His most recent research was focused on the brain mechanisms of emotion experience. Dr. Panksepp traveled all over the world where he would perform lectures on his research. He was very proud and honored when he received the Order of the White Star, which was personally given to him by the President of Estonia. Dr. Panksepp truly loved his work and was devoted to his research, he also loved to research music in his spare time, however, his family was his true pride and joy.

Dr. Panksepp is survived by his wife: Anesa; a son: Jules Panksepp, of Portland, Oregon; step-daughters: Antonia Pogacar, of Washington DC; Ruth (Michal) Pogacar-Kouril, of Cincinnati, Ohio; a step-grandson: Josefa Kouril, along with a host of loving relatives and colleagues. Along with his parents, Dr. Panksepp was preceded in death by a daughter: Tiina Panksepp and a brother: Jaan Panksepp.

A Memorial Service for Dr. Panksepp will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in Prout Chapel located on the campus of Bowling Green State University. Arrangements have been entrusted with the DECK-HANNEMAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1460 W. Wooster Street/P.O. Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Tele: 419-352-2171.

Memorial Contributions in Dr. Panksepp's honor may be gifted to the John P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior at Bowling Green State University payable to BGSU Foundation. Please include the Fund Number 301621 or JP Scott Center for NMB Fund in the Memo Line.

Online Condolences as well as fond memories may be left for the Panksepp family by visiting

www.hannemanfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Apr. 20, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Jaak Panksepp

28 Entries

Rainer Krause

April 13, 2020

There is nothing new to say except that we are missing his inspiring , creative and fearless approach to the world.
Rainer Krause Saarbrücken

Rainer Krause

April 12, 2019

We were very close in thinking and working. He was our guest in Heidelberg and Saarbrücken and we published some of his outstandig ideas in German. I am still working just now on a book chapter in which i am heavily relying on him. Besides that he was a very noble brave man with a lot of humor . Even the rats were laughing. We miss him.

November 30, 2017

Second Message

Just that I miss Getting Jaak's emails.

Jaak Viirland.

Jag Sungkur

November 25, 2017

This is a big loss to science , to affective neuroscience and psychology -- Jaak Panksepp with live through his work though. I corresponded with him as a student a few times and he was always very generous in sharing his views and wisdom.

Lois Pryce

October 3, 2017

Dear Family, Friends & Colleagues,
A year and a half ago, knowing my great interest in the science of emotions in humans and other animals, a friend recommended Jaak Panksepp's 'Archaeology of Mind'. It turned out to be one of those rare, few, life-changing books and has had the most tremendous impact on me, both objectively and subjectively, intellectually and personally. In learning of Jaak's death I feel personally bereaved as though I have lost a wise, funny, treasured friend.

I thought so much of this book that I precised it and put that on my blog ('Lois'Art & Wildlife' - Page 'Science thoughts 2013-')

With much sorrow for your loss,
Lois Pryce, Bristol, England

Jack Carney

July 1, 2017

I just an hour ago discovered Jaak Panksepp had died this April 18. His pioneering work on Affective Neuroscience is a great gift to Humanity, especially for me as it relates to LOSS expressed as Panic and Grief.

He was a Free Friend and we communicated by email. He was the only public person to endorse my LOSS LINKS project which has a Facebook page. Also, he was empathetic to my LOSS challenges, helping me to understand what psychotropics might be of help in better coping with my panic and anxiety due to the deaths of most valued others.

I felt of all the scientists I have read, Jaak was the most "Human" in his CARE for others. I believe he learned as I did the true Lesson of Loss, which is CARE. His writing on the accidental death of his daughter at a young age is a tribute to the combination of science and art he practiced so well.

I have learned much about myself and the Human Condition through his work and I think many will too if they read his papers and books. Here is a link to a lovely video on Youtube commemorating him and his work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumCFUvzIYc

To Anesa, his wife, and his children, I offer the end of a long poem I wrote upon the death of my Other Half, Katharine, in 1996, to help use your LOSS to link you to life and others:

My love, I find you inside of everyone I ask out.
You gave me your death as your final gift and I will
Continue to open it with the best of my life.

May Jaak and his great gift continue to live in us who value him.

Jack in Auckland, New Zealand

Jack Carney

July 1, 2017

I just an hour ago discovered Jaak Panksepp had died this April 18. His pioneering work on Affective Neuroscience is a great gift to Humanity, especially for me as it relates to LOSS expressed as Panic and Grief.

He was a Free Friend and we communicated by email. He was the only public person to endorse my LOSS LINKS project which has a Facebook page. Also, he was empathetic to my LOSS challenges, helping me to understand what psychotropics might be of help in better coping with my panic and anxiety due to the deaths of most valued others.

I felt of all the scientists I have read, Jaak was the most "Human" in his CARE for others. I believe he learned as I did the true Lesson of Loss, which is CARE. His writing on the accidental death of his daughter at a young age is a tribute to the combination of science and art he practiced so well.

I have learned much about myself and the Human Condition through his work and I hope you will too if you read his papers and books. Here is a link to a lovely video on Youtube commemorating him and his work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumCFUvzIYc

To Anesa, his wife, and his children, I offer the end of a long poem I wrote upon the death of my Other Half, Katharine, in 1996, to help use your LOSS to link you to life and others:

My love, I find you inside of everyone I ask out.
You gave me your death as your final gift and I will
Continue to open it with the best of my life.

May Jaak and his great gift continue to live in us who value him.

Jack in Auckland, New Zealand

Wendy Jones

June 6, 2017

I love Jaak Panksepp's vital work. I met him recently when he spoke at Cornell University. I told him I was working on a book about the social mind-brain and Jane Austen. He told me that his wife loves Austen and I asked if she would like to read the book. He said yes, and I took his address, which I've unfortunately misplaced. Despite his renown and importance, Jaak had time to give an unknown author and to ask about my project. I'm so sorry he has passed away. My condolences to the family.

May 26, 2017

Jaak Panksepp.
My email friend, no wonder he did not respond to my emails lately.
We were born in the same town in Estonia.
Jaak was born 3 years after me.Bless Him!!!

paul morris

May 11, 2017

It was my pleasure to meet Jaak during his visits to Portsmouth. He combined a seriously "hard science" approach to the physiology of emotion with an understanding based on warmth and humanity. He was unfailingly modest, kind and constructive. I was so sorry to learn of his passing.

Thomas Gerstenberger

May 7, 2017

Jaak was absolutely the most inspiring professor ever. My undergraduate experiences with him in 1980-81 have never been matched. His intellect, curiosity, and passion were unmatched. Jaak made the world a better place. My condolences.

Andrew Niemiec

May 5, 2017

I am truly sorry to hear of Jaak's passing. He was an innovative researcher and a true gentleman. I'll always remember the wonderful talk he gave at our college several years ago. I admire his gift for creative and lucid synthesis of scientific information and I know that many future generations of neuroscientists will continue to enjoy his papers and his books. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.

Andy Niemiec, Neuroscience Department, Kenyon College

Rainer Krause

April 26, 2017

As on of the faculty members od the Graduate College "clinical emotion Resesearch" fundet by the German Science Society I had the chance to invited Jaak to prsent his ideas to us and our students at Heidelberg. Afterwards we translated his work on panic and separation anxiety into German to make it public to the clinical people. Than I had the pleasure to act as a commentarer to his seminal work on emotions as viewed by pychoanalysis and neuroscience in the first volume od neuro- psychoanalysis. All this together was extremly helpfull to get our thoughts and projects clearer. He was able to see gesatlt like configurations below the surface without electrodes. So he was the right man at the border between the unconscious and hard science. In addition he was somebody who likes yoy , so it is no accident that he discoverered the rats loughs. Fanally he was able to "handle" very servere blows of life with a certain decence. So "ich verneige mich vor einem wirklich grossen Menschen" Rainer Krause

April 25, 2017

The Member's of the BGSU Retirees Association were saddened to learn of Jaak's passing and extend our deepest sympathy to the family!

Ellen Dissanayake

April 25, 2017

Dear Anesa, It was such a shock to hear last week of Jaak's death. My heart goes out to you, and I am glad to know that you are in Bowling Green where you will have the support of old and dear friends. Jaak's pathbreaking work on the affective neuroscience of humans -- not only of "rats" --has indelibly changed my approach to my own scholarly pursuits, as I am sure it has many others. I'll always remember my few visits with him and you, and I will consult his books many times. My condolences and warm affection, always.

Antonella Ronco

April 24, 2017

Many researchers in the field of affective neuroscience will now feel a bit orphaned from what was a generous researcher. The family gets my feelings and condolences

April 24, 2017

Professor Panksepp's research and synthetic scholarship have made lasting contributions. His perspectives were wide ranging and always engaging. I continue to study his important papers relating neurobiology to dual aspect monism.
Respectfully submitted,

Ralph Lydic, The University of Tennessee

Stefano Puglisi-Allegra

April 24, 2017

It was with great sadness that I learned of Jaak's passing. It is a grave loss, the loss of friend and a great scientist. My deepest condolences. Stefano Puglisi-Allegra

Hans Van Dongen

April 23, 2017

As a founding member of the Sleep and Performance Research Center at Washington State University, Jaak was a source of inspiration for all of us in the Center. Always willing to stimulate and guide our scientific thinking, his involvement made our research not only better but also more enjoyable and worthwhile. We will miss him dearly as a colleague and a friend.

From everyone in the Center, our deepest condolences to Anesa and all of Jaak's family, friends and colleagues.

April 23, 2017

Very sorryto hear this sad news. A good friend from days at Sussex University in England and a brilliant scientist. Our sympathy to Anesca, Jules and family. Fred and Olga (Toates)

Donna Nelson-Beene

April 21, 2017

Dear Anesa and family,

I was so sorry to learn the sad news about Jaak and am sending my deepest sympathies to all of you. May you find comfort during this time of sorrow.

BGSU Psychology Faculty

Deb Smith

April 21, 2017

Dr. Panksepp among his fellow BGSU colleagues in the '90's. My sympathy to all who knew and loved him.

Pete Feldmann

April 20, 2017

I grew up with Jaak in Lakewood, NJ during his public school years and will miss his email correspondence of the past years. The academic world has lost a stellar researcher who tirelessly probed the functioning of the human/animal emotional intellect. My condolences to Anesa and family.

John Duncan

April 20, 2017

I was composing an email to Dr. Panksepp when I discovered his untimely passing. he was such an inspiration to me and so many others who value his compassion and insight into the deepest aspects of life and the brain which binds all mammals emotionally. May this great thinker's soul live forever and the memories of him that his family, friends, and those whom he influenced continue to provide us with insight, courage, and love throughout the struggle of this existence.

Ray Laakaniemi

April 20, 2017

Jaak was a big help to us in making contacts for our Fulbright year in, yes, Tartu, Estonia. He was indeed a world traveler and a giant in his research area. He will be missed. Ray Laakaniemi, retired, Journalism BGSU

Kelsey (Snyder) Kuhlman

April 20, 2017

So sorry to hear the news of Jaak. I came to know him over 25 years ago, when I befriended his late daughter, Tiina as a friend. It's been a long time since I've seen him, but have many great memories from his home on Sandridge. My condolences to the entire family. He will be reunited with Tiina and his other family members.

lisa knaggs

April 20, 2017

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Professor Panksepp, I learned from him from afar. His questions and research helped confirm my hopes and gave me assurance that my experiences with other mammals as emotional companions was more than a figment of my imagination. I will be forever grateful for seeing him tickle rats and hearing them laugh and realizing that we all share that wonder of joy and delight! May you know deep peace as you grieve the loss of your beloved. And know that our thoughts and prayers surround you all, family, friends, colleagues, students.

Sandra Paulsen

April 19, 2017

His legacy will on for generations as clinicians use the knowledge he brought us for those healing from trauma and other disorders with his seminal contributions to the field of affective neuroscience.

Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results