Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Donald Kasarda Obituary
February 12, 2021
Dr. Donald David Kasarda, accomplished scientist, loving family-man, and true gentleman, died on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 87 years of age in Berkeley, California. Dr. Kasarda was a dedicated scientist for more than 50 years and a recognized global expert in wheat gluten proteins and celiac disease.
He grew up in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, the youngest of eight children. His own father died when Don was seven years old, and his mother Mary struggled to make ends meet for the family, surviving largely on the income contributed by Don's older brother, an Air Force navigator.
While living at home, he earned his bachelor's degree at Kings College. On guidance from his chemistry professor, he then entered the master's program at Boston College where he flourished academically, though he barely had enough to eat. Don could hardly believe his good fortune when he was accepted into the doctoral program at Princeton University. Rubbing elbows with Nobel laureates… living in the Ivy-covered graduate housing… not to mention taking meals in the Harry-Potteresque (his words) dining hall -- these were all heady experiences for him and ones he was grateful for all his days.
Dr. Kasarda received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton in 1961. Following appointments at Bell Laboratories and later at the University of California San Francisco, where he met his beloved wife Ferne, he joined the USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center in 1964 to study wheat protein structure.
Dr. Kasarda is the author of over 100 research publications and review chapters, with nearly 10,000 citations to date. He received numerous awards for excellence in research, including the Thomas Burr Osbourne Medal for distinguished contributions in the field of Cereal Chemistry in 1993 and the Rank Prize in 2002, along with Dr. Peter Shewry of the UK, in recognition of his work on the molecular characterization of cereal seed storage proteins.
Don retained his lively brain until his last breath.
Amidst all of his professional endeavours, Don found joy in family, woodworking, hiking, and travel. A trip to the ballet or just a good burger with a friend were his perfect evenings. In fact, searching for the perfect burger, ideally from a hole-in-the-wall joint, was a source of delight for him. He despised elitism of any sort. He doted on his grandchildren, always speaking to them (sometimes to their chagrin) as if they were equals in maturity to him. He will be keenly missed.
Dr. Kasarda was predeceased by his wife Ferne. He is survived by his daughter Amy Perrette, son-in-law Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, and his grandchildren Ansel and Isabelle. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Celiac Disease Foundation in Dr. Kasarda's memory: https://celiac.org/donate/. A memorial will be planned when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, he would want his friends, colleagues, and family to enjoy a good burger and remember him with fondness.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Kasarda
Nancy Gillette and Bohun Kinloch
March 12, 2021
Don was a dear friend of ours for many decades. Friday night pizza from the Cheeseboard had been a long-standing tradition that was renewed in mid-2020 when Don became unable to leave home. Don’s caregivers prepared the patio for al fresco dining in warm weather, complete with Provencal tablecloth and of course a bottle of good red. Then, as winter edged in, they moved the feast indoors. The pandemic made clear the true value of a great conversationalist, and Don was one of the best. We dissected Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner; rehashed the latest Washington outrages; and, more happily, did Facetime with Amy before her bedtime in London. Don’s mind was clear to the end: he remained bright, funny, down-to-earth, and always so considerate of others. He navigated this difficult phase of life in the spirit of a true gentleman. His love for his family, Amy, J.-B., Ansel and Isabelle shone through always; he was so very proud of them all. We will miss him dearly.
Stefania Masci
March 5, 2021
He was unique.... It is rare to meet a person of his moral height coupled with his scientific culture and capacity. He was a mentor to me: I would not be the same I am today without the long discussions and emails we exchanged in almost 30 years
Ana Ruiz
March 4, 2021
Don was such a great person and he meant so much to me, after many years taking care of his home he became part of my family, I will forever hold his memory close to my heart.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Chelsea Ruiz
March 3, 2021
Hello. I’m Chelsea, one of his caregivers, the daughter of his house keeper Ana, we have known Don for quite some time and he was always so happy to see us walking up the stairs to his home, welcomed us inside with a big smile always. During the time I was caring for him we would frequently watch CNN, I was never fond of CNN but I think it was because I didn’t understand some of the things they would talk about, Don would have me pull up a chair close by to him and he would explain to me what it was they were talking about on CNN, we even discussed during the Capital’s riot that we were going to drive down there suited in armor (he said he had a thick leather jacket that would protect him like armor) and teach those people a lesson.
He enjoyed a good hamburger, pizza dinners with his good friends, having a coke once in a while, and a good piece of chocolate, so many things that I now see and immediately remind me of Don, he was a great person and lived his life well, we miss him dearly and know he is now resting peacefully.
Susan Kinloch
March 3, 2021
Don was a good friend for many decades. We loved to see movies, argue about them and then find a good burger or pizza -- always with a glass of red wine. He was an interesting conversationalist -- with very strong opinions so our discussions were lively. He was a real gentleman -- he helped me with my coat and always made sure I got to my car safely. He was very interested in my life and problems and always had advice -- some of it even useful. He was very strongly opinioned about which car I should buy, which phone, which cell phone holder for my phone, and anything else that had come up in our talks. I always liked knowing that he was looking out for my best interests. We've lost a jewel!
Ansel
March 3, 2021
Donald Kasarda is my grandfather and i remember when he gave me a persent when I was three. I said ' its a box ' when i didn't realise that there was something inside it - I still have the present to this day.
i also remember when he read me a book about protons and electrons when i was only 4! Even though i didn't understand what any of these were, i knew that because he had given the book to me i, it was special and i also have that very book to this day. I will treasure his memory always.
Zainabu Sesay
March 3, 2021
He was a nice, gentle, very understanding and funny man. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Duniya Okada
March 3, 2021
Dear Amy,
I was struck by Donald’s smile in this picture and how much of it is reflected in you. From first glance I can see what a fun but warm-hearted person he is. Despite, his tough beginnings he achieved so much. You are indeed lucky to have had such an inspiring and considerate role model. Wishing you all the strength you may need to get through this particularly tough time. Of course you will always hold your father very close to your heart but I hope the gratitude to just have loved and known such a special person, slowly supersedes the pain you feel now.
All our love and we are here if you need anything at all.
Duniya, Taiji, Zen & Maya
Nancy Patin Falini
March 2, 2021
Dr. Kasarda was truly a unique, one-of-a-kind human being....so unpretentious, kind and intelligent. He contributed significantly to my graduate research in celiac disease and ultimately my book. I believe in the US at that time he was the most noted expert researcher. I will never forget him and will be forever grateful for his contributions that thrusted us forward in our understanding of gluten and celiac disease. We would not be where we are now in this realm if it were not for him. Thank you to his family for sharing such a wonderful person with the world! I wish you peace at this time and always.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Donald Kasarda's name
Memorial Events
for Donald Kasarda
People and places connected with Donald
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Donald's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Donald Kasarda's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
