Legacy.com
https://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=OB36272638
JANSSEN, Bernd Bernd Janssen, Ph.D. 1950-2022 Bernd Janssen of Harvard, MA, passed away on August 9, 2022 at the age of 71. Born September 8, 1950 in Siegburg, Germany, he was the only child of Hildegard and Werner Janssen. Following his undergraduate studies at the University of Bonn, he earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Bochum. He subsequently worked as a research scientist at a variety of pharmaceutical companies in Germany, most notably BASF. In 1995, he moved to the United States to help establish the BASF Bioresearch facility in Worcester, MA as Director of Chemistry. After his 2006 retirement from Abbott Laboratories (which had acquired BASF), he owned and operated Science & Management Consulting, advising European and American biotech organizations, often startups, on scientific, technological, and business matters, with a specialty in drug discovery and development. In addition, he served several years as Chief Scientific Officer for ELARA Pharmaceuticals and was an affiliated scientist with Worcester Polytechnic Institute and The European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Throughout his professional career, he coauthored more than 50 patents and scientific papers on the subjects of Dermatology, Oncology, and Immunology. In 2002, mutual friends introduced him to the love of his life, Claire Rindenello, whom he married in 2004. Despite being a hilarious study in contrasts, he a tall, bald, methodical German chemist with a booming voice, and she a bubbling, high energy Italian musician with wild, dark, curly hair and barely over 5 feet tall, they were a perfect match. They loved traveling internationally, going to the movies, museums, the beach, driving around in his convertible, attending concerts in Boston and at Tanglewood, and spending time with their 5 children and 2 grandchildren. They each delighted in the other's love and affection. Bernd proudly earned his United States citizenship in 2006 and was an active supporter of liberal causes and democratic politicians, often participating in grassroots door knocking campaigns for candidates he believed in. He is survived by his wife, Claire Rindenello, of Harvard, MA; his children, Sven Janssen and wife Johanna Lampe of Berlin, Germany, Urs Janssen, his partner Katherina Kaut, and their daughter Anouk, also of Berlin, Germany, Ryan Parker, his partner Jane Shepard, and their son Jack, of Seattle, WA, Nicholas Rindenello, of Harvard, MA, Maria Rindenello Spraker and her husband Kyle Spraker, of Sandwich, MA; and his cousin Brigitte Müller and her son Andreas, of Hövels, Germany. Bernd was a protector and champion of his loved ones. He made us laugh, he made us feel important, supported, safe, and, most of all, loved. He was a bright shining light in our lives and we miss him terribly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Loaves and Fishes of Ayer, MA. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road in Harvard, MA. View the online memorial for Bernd JANSSEN (https://www.lastingmemories.com/bernd-janssen)
LINKS
Memories
Gallery
Guestbook