Gary Wells Elmer

January 21, 1941 – May 21, 2024

Gary was born to Julia Ann Elmer and Harrel D. Elmer in Claremont, NH, January 21, 1941. He graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont in 1959.  He obtained a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and worked as a pharmacist in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. He later obtained a Ph.D. degree from the Rutgers University Waxman Institute of Microbiology and joined the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in 1971, eventually achieving the rank of Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.  His research focus was on infectious diseases.  Gary married Joan Bennett and became father to Ross, Lynn and Lee. He married Rosalinda Aguirre in 1988. A sabbatical leave in France in the late ‘80’s cemented his love for the people and places of France and led to many later trips there with friends, notably on bicycle and barge trips on the Loire and the Rhone.  In the late 1990’s he met and married Dr. Jacqueline Gardner. They loved their vacation home on the Hood Canal, from which they could enjoy gatherings with children and grandchildren, go shrimping and crabbing and, upon retirement, participate in citizen science projects associated with the University of Washington Sea Grant. His family and many friends accompanied him on skiing, hiking, kayaking and backpacking adventures from the early ‘70’s until recent years. He and Jackie were avid tandem bicyclists, completing the Seattle-to-Portland ride to celebrate their 60th birthdays.   He is survived by his wife, Jackie, his son Ross Elmer, daughters Lynn Imel (Tom) and Lee Reid (Ian), and grandchildren Elliot, Alek and Payton Reid and Natalie and Logan Imel.  Remembrance donations are suggested to be made to the Jefferson Land Trust (www.saveland.org). 

Comments

I was honored to have known Gary as a fellow scientist and count him as one of my favorite friends.
Gary was one of those truly gentle and loving souls. He freely shared his skills as a researcher, taught me animal surgery and lab skills. We explored the mysteries of nature and fostered the love? Of science with many students.
Many of my fun memories involve crazy trips to Paris and getting to know which wines pair with snails!
I will miss him.
We were blessed to share the joy of life with him over the decades.
My thoughts and love to Jackie and his family.

Lynne Mcfarland