Peder Jan Estrup
The world-renowned scientist in both chemistry and physics spent most of his career at Brown University.
Peder Jan Estrup died on 18 September 2025 at the age of 94 in Santa Barbara, California.
Born on 15 July 1931, Peder was a world-renowned scientist in both chemistry and physics who spent most of his career at Brown University as the Newport Rogers Professor of Chemistry, chair of the Department of Chemistry and professor of physics, then dean of the graduate school and research at Brown until his retirement in 2004.
(Photo courtesy of the author.)
He served on more than 45 committees while at Brown and published over 100 papers, more than two dozen of which were presented at national and international conferences. Peder received numerous awards and accolades and collaborated with scientists at universities and research institutes across the nation and around the world. He was invited by the Nobel Prize Committee to submit proposals in both chemistry and physics.
Peder was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He received his undergraduate degree from the Royal Technical University of Denmark. After serving two years in the Danish army, he earned a Fulbright Scholarship to Yale University, where he completed his PhD in physical chemistry in just three years. There he met his wife, Faiza Fawaz, who was completing her own PhD in biophysics. They enjoyed a 53-year marriage before her death in 2013.
They moved in 2004 to Santa Barbara, where he became a visiting researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in the chemistry department. He mentored graduate students and assisted in securing grants. He loved classical music, opera, history, and politics. He and his wife traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand.
He leaves behind a loving extended family in the US, Denmark, England, Lebanon, and Austria, along with hundreds of admiring and inspired graduate students who carry on his work. He will be remembered for his kindness, brilliance, wisdom, and humor.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Dean Estrup Graduate Student Research Fund at Brown University.
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