Peter J. Andrulis' Obituary
Peter J. Andrulis, Jr., Ph.D, a resident of Washington, D.C. for nineteen years and then of Bethesda, MD for twenty-three years died peacefully on Monday, July 30, 2012 at his oceanfront home, Dewey Beach, DE.
Dr. Andrulis began his career as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at American University and then at Trinity College, both located in Washington, D.C.. While at Trinity, he obtained an agreement with nearby Catholic University to use laboratory space to produce specialty compounds for use in federal research projects. In 1971 in partnership with his wife, Marilyn W. Andrulis, Ph.D., he founded Andrulis Research Corporation with the mission of performing contracted research in the physical, social and life sciences. Within three years the business revenues grew sufficiently enough for Peter to join the firm on a full-time basis. He established a fully-equipped chemistry laboratory with a Good Manufacturing Practices approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was responsible for obtaining several competitively-awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the federal government. He served as Chairman from the firm's inception to 1992 when he purchased the chemistry business from Andrulis Research and the assets were transferred to Andrulis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Andrulis Pharmaceuticals produced several platinum compounds that were proven useful in treatment of solid cancer tumors and were memorialized in patents issued to Andrulis Research by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and formally assigned to Andrulis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Andrulis was an early leader in the use of clinically-pure thalidomide for use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and is an inventor of many patents covering the use of thalidomide in combination therapy for cancer, neurological disorders, and other inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Andrulis was married for over 48 years to Marilyn who he met in the summer of 1962 when both were summer interns at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Beltsville, MD. His loving and faithful Irish Setter, Sardegna (“Deenya”), “the bird-dog” of Dewey Beach that runs as fast as the birds fly, will keep watch of Marilyn for him. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Paris and have traveled extensively in Italy since then.
Dr. Andrulis is survived by Marilyn and his two highly educated and accomplished sons: his son Peter III has an MBA in Finance by Columbia University and MS degrees in chemistry and in biochemistry, from Tufts University and University of Los Angeles, respectively; and his son Erik has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Stony Brook University and 21 peer-reviewed publications. Erik is married to the former Sandra Centoducati of Long Island, NY, and has three children, Bohdan, Sloane and Rylan.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 8:00 PM on the Beach at 1 St. Louis Street, Dewey Beach, DE. Attire will be beach casual. Dr. Andrulis will be buried at sea on Sunday, August 12, 2012, three miles due east of his Dewey Beach residence. Burial at Sea will be Private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Parkison’s Action Network, 1025 Vermont Avenue NW Suite 1120, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Please sign Dr. Andrulis’ online guestbook on this page.
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of Peter?
What’s a lesson you learned from Peter?
Share a story where Peter's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Peter you’ll never forget.
How did Peter make you smile?