Dr. Paul K. Strudler

STRUDLER

DR. PAUL K. STRUDLER

Dr. Paul K. Strudler passed away on April 22, 2022 in North Bethesda, Maryland. Born in New York City, and raised in Ellenville in the Catskills, Paul, a radiation physicist, was an extraordinary man whose unquenchable pursuit of knowledge was inspiring to all who knew him. Paul will be remembered for his brilliant mind, great sense of humor and sharp wit which were present in every aspect of his life.



Paul made a name for himself at an early age as class valedictorian, with Eleanor Roosevelt as the guest speaker. He continued his education at Rensselaer (R.P.I.) and Yale for his Masters and Ph.D. Paul was a co-discoverer of neutron defiant isotopes of the element Barium and was awarded a National Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard where he taught for several years before eventually landing his dream jobs at the National Institutes of Health.



At the National Institutes of Health as Special Assistant to the Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Dr. Strudler was presented the N.I.H. Director's Award for "initiative, creativity and determination which had brought cyclotron technology to N.I.H. and contributed significantly to the implementation of Positron Emission Tomography (P.E.T.) research." In 1990, he was appointed as Scientific Review Administrator of the N.I.H. Radiation Study Section, supervising the peer reviews of grant proposals for radiation treatment of cancer. Highly regarded in his field of expertise, nuclear medicine, Paul was beloved by his study section participants. He never tired of supporting, encouraging, and assisting others to help further their careers in the world of science; and his captivating scientific speeches were legendary throughout the N.I.H. Scientific community, and beyond, for integrating his humor with science.



Paul cultivated and treasured his lifelong friends. He was an original people person who became quick friends with whomever he met. Paul was a voracious reader, reading several books at once on a variety of topics and was known as a walking encyclopedia long before Alexia and Siri appeared on the scene. He was an accomplished tennis and squash player who could be found on the courts year-round. Paul was also a wine collector and connoisseur, an avid gardener and a lover of all music from symphonies to zydeco. Paul enjoyed traveling the world with his family and spent many vacations in Santa Fe and Taos. His love of the Southwest was reflected in their home with art, music, pottery, and magnificent cactus plants.



After retiring, Paul enjoyed volunteering at the Strathmore Music Center, the Landow House and Hebrew Home with the family's adorable Bichon Frise, Bradley. Although stricken with Parkinson's Disease for nearly twenty years, Paul continued to fight it and persevere to the very end. Paul's loving relatives and loyal friends continued to visit weekly, going out to lunch or playing scrabble for years until nearly the very end.



Paul was the beloved husband of his devoted wife, Dyan, loving father of David (Jen) and adoring grandfather of Lily. In addition, Paul is survived by his brother, Lewis, many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law. Paul was predeceased by Lillie and Ralph Strudler (mother and step-father), Harry Kaplan (father), and brother, Robert.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area or to a charity of your choice. A private memorial will be held at a later date.