LOUIS OSTRACH

Louis H. Ostrach, Ph.D.  July 31, 1951 - February 12, 2017  
Louis H. Ostrach, Ph.D., age 65, passed peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sunday, February 12, 2017. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Shaker Heights High School. He continued his education at Brown University and pursued his doctorate at Stanford University. He and his wife, Sandra Neufeld Ostrach, began their family in Woodland, California.  Louis pursued his passion for science, exploration, and inquiry with Lockheed Martin and NASA Ames Research Center. In 1998, Louis moved with his wife and two daughters to Bethesda, Maryland, for a detail at NASA Headquarters and then transitioned to permanent duty.  Despite a distinguished career as a scientist and civil servant devoted to the life sciences and space exploration, Louis was proudest of his accomplishments as a husband and a father. The time Louis spent with his family hiking, designing science projects, chaperoning outdoor field trips, caring for the myriad creatures inside and outside of the house, reading aloud and quietly, and expanding his various garden plots were his true occupation in life.  Louis was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria S. Ostrach. He is survived by his wife, Sandra and his daughters, Lillian Rose Ostrach Toborek, Ph.D. (Jack) and Kraina Sarah Eva. Louis is also survived by his father, Dr. Simon Ostrach; his siblings, Stefan Ostrach (Marion Malcolm), Naomi (Jeff) Burns, Dr. David Ostrach, and Judith Ostrach Hirsch (John). He is likewise mourned by many nieces; nephews; cousins; and a robust extended family touched by his loyalty and friendship. A curious student of anatomy himself, Louis requested his remains be donated for research, and his wish will be honored by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. A memorial service will be held in Cleveland, OH. at a later date.  Family and friends are invited to a memorial reception at Positano Ristorante Italiano (4948 Fairmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814) on Saturday, February 25, 2017, from 1 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Union of Concerned Scientists, or another charity of preference.