Dr. Gordon Jendrasiak Obituary

APEX, NC Dr. Gordon Lee Jendrasiak, 90, passed away on December 13, 2023 in his residence at the Reserve at Mills Farm. A native of Grand Rapids, MI, Dr. Jendrasiak was the son of Adam Joseph Jendrasiak and Virginia Haraburda Jendrasiak. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his sister, Cynthia Ann Jendrasiak and his dear cousin Elaine Szczepanski Barnes. He is survived by: his wife of over sixty years, Edith Wintermute Jendrasiak; daughter Jennifer Jendrasiak Norton (Thomas); grandchildren Dr. Sean Norton (Erin) and Owen Norton; daughter Grace Jendrasiak McLean, Esq. (Dr. Timothy); grandchild Charleston Annetta McLean; and son Gordon Adam Jendrasiak (Laurie); and grandchildren Laney, Adam and Brooklyn Jendrasiak.

Dr. Jendrasiak was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids and earned three degrees from Michigan State University, each with highest honors: a B.S. in Physics and Astronomy; and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biophysics. He was a postdoctoral researcher at Notre Dame University, after which he joined the faculty of the Biophysics Department at the University of Illinois. He was an invited scholar at Argonne National Laboratory and at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He received additional training and education at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and became a medical physicist, board-certified in nuclear medicine. He worked with hospitals and medical schools in Chicago, IL and Charleston, SC. He finished his career as a medical physicist with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in NC, as a Full Professor in the Department of Radiation and Oncology. He was a dedicated and prolific cancer researcher and was widely published. His research continues to be cited today.

Dr. Jendrasiak was a brilliant man with a dry sense of humor. He loved his family and was loved in return. He was an especially good grandfather, always finding time to listen to his seven grandchildren, answer each and every question they asked of him and participate in each and every activity they proposed. He also loved his work; his work ethic was unparalleled. He loved learning. He was a devout Catholic and a proud Polish American, enjoying several trips to Poland. He loved the family dog Molly “the Moll” Jendrasiak, a rescue from Pitt County, NC. He loved Michigan and per his wishes, will be interred there with his ancestors and other family members.

His family will hold a private celebration of Dr. Jendrasiak’s life in Michigan. To honor his memory, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Dementia Society and the Pitt County (NC) Humane Society.

“And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” Kalil Gibran