Ralph Joshua Nossal

December 26, 1937 – November 2, 2024

Husband, father, grandfather, and scientist.

Caring friend.

Ralph Joshua Nossal died at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC on November 2, 2024, of congestive heart failure.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague and neighbor.  We were all fortunate to be blessed with his kindness and support.

Ralph and his late wife Nancy both enjoyed long and fulfilling careers as scientists at the National Institutes of Health, as a biophysicist and biochemist respectively.  Ralph worked at NIH for over 50 years and formerly led the Laboratory of Integrative and Medical Biophysics and the Section on Cell Biophysics at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at NIH.  Throughout his career, Ralph worked on a variety of topics, including transport processes within cells and across membranes, as well as instrument development.  He liked to work across disciplines.  Additionally, Ralph co-taught a number of classes and was a co-author with Harold Lecar of the textbook "Molecular and Cell Biophysics".   Ralph continued writing scientific papers up until his death.  He was an emeritus scientist at NIH and affiliated with the Physics Department at Georgetown University.

One of the most important aspects of Ralph's career was his extensive efforts to support, encourage, and foster the careers of other scientists, including training many early career scientists.  Ralph loved science and the emerging field of biophysics. But Ralph stayed so long because of the friends that he made and the younger researchers he was able to help. As in the other areas of his life, what gave Ralph the greatest joy were relationships and figuring out how to help other people.  He was grateful to have so many wonderful colleagues at NIH and Georgetown.

In the mid-1990s, Ralph served multiple terms as the president of the Battery Park Neighborhood Association, and helped it host social and educational events and make improvements to the neighborhood.  During his elder years, Ralph continued to build friendships and community. On daily walks he enjoyed meeting dogs, children, and adult neighbors. Those who knew Ralph were fortunate to experience his kindness, caring, and enthusiasm for learning and discussing a wide range of topics. Ralph was one of the longest-term residents of Battery Park and chose to stay in his house for almost 60 years because of the wonderful friendships he made with neighbors.

Ralph enjoyed spending time outdoors with family and friends, especially on the C&O canal and on the grounds of the Glenstone Museum, as well as on longer multi-day hiking trips.  He and Nancy took many camping trips with their children which gave them a life-long appreciation for nature.  Ralph continued to cherish hiking in his later years with his close friend Sveta on the grounds of the Glenstone Museum.  Ralph also found joy in listening to classical music.

Ralph was greatly concerned about challenges impacting the country and globe and longed for a better world. These included protection of democracy, education, healthcare, the prevalence of guns and wars, and climate change, a topic that he discussed frequently and about which he did much reading.

Ralph was born to Fred and Anne Mandel Nossal on December 26th, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York.  Fred Nossal, Ralph's father, was born in Vienna, Austria and came to the United States as a teenager to escape rising antisemitism. Anne Mandel, Ralph's mother, was born in Brooklyn. Ralph spoke fondly of his time growing up amongst her very close extended family.  In addition to his parents and brother, they included cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmothers, many of whom lived within two blocks of each other.  Ralph appreciated the connections he was able to keep throughout his life with his extended family, Nancy's family, and that of Mildred (Nahum) Nossal, Fred Nossal's second wife.

Ralph was an exemplary father and best friend to his children. He showed interest and provided support, encouragement, and kindness to so many.  He loved people and was grateful for his family and friends. All of us who were so fortunate to know Ralph can carry forth his spirit, values, and integrity to help us in continuing to shape and lead our lives.

As his granddaughter Emily Nossal so beautifully shared "My grandpa was such a kind, clever, and loving person. He always put other people in front of him, he cared so much for other people and that showed in so many ways. So as we reflect together on what Grandpa wants for us now, is to be happy and be kind because if that's what we do I know we will all make him proud."

Ralph was a beloved husband (Nancy Goldman Nossal), son (Fred and Anna Mandel Nossal), father [Susan (Stephen), Steven (Jennifer), Michael (Charlotte)], grandfather (Karina, Natalie, Emily), brother (Peter Nossal), close friend (Sveta Gushakova), and dear family member, friend, colleague and neighbor to so many.   Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother.

Ralph and Nancy Nossal greatly valued healthcare, education, and the environment.  Donations in their memory can be made to the Children's Inn at NIH , an educational scholarship of your choice, and/or the C&O Canal Trust .

Children's Inn at NIH
Web: https://childrensinn.org

C&O Canal Trust
Web: https://www.canaltrust.org/

Educational Scholarship of Your Choice