Sheldon Greisman

Age 80 The University of Maryland School of Medicine professor was known as 'the father of endotoxin research.'

Dr. Greisman "shone as a medical investigator, teacher and role model," said a colleague.

Dr. Greisman received the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Golden Apple Teaching Award in 1983. In 1990, the Sheldon E. Greisman Prize in Medical Physiology was established as an annual award to honor the graduate with the most distinguished performance in physiology.

Dr. Greisman enjoyed playing hits of the 1930s and 1940s on a Martin acoustic guitar his parents gave him when he was 13. He also played light classics on the violin. He was an amateur magician and entertained his grandchildren.

He also spent much time on his Elkridge farm, which is surrounded by Patapsco State Park. He worked around his property's Victorian home and 10 outbuildings. He raised horses, goats, chickens and sheep, and occasionally was called upon to assist at the delivery of a lamb.

He later enlarged his land holdings so that all his five children and grandchildren could live on the family compound.

On Dec. 7, 2007, Dr. Greisman was honored by his colleagues at a daylong meeting, "Building a Foundation for Modern Sepsis Research: A Tribute to the Work of Dr. Sheldon E. Greisman," at the University of Maryland.

Private services were held Wednesday.

Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, the former Janet Ruth Matthias; two sons, Gregory Greisman and Timothy Greisman, and three daughters, Kathy Greisman, Valerie Stebbins and Dr. Lisa Greisman, all of Elkridge; a sister, Nadine Malton of Morristown, N.J.; and 12 grandchildren.

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