1932
Eric
2024
Eric W. Hahn
June 1, 1932 — May 9, 2024
Inverness
Eric Walter Hahn, PhD, 91– Our father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, uncle, dear friend, and respected cancer research scientist Dr. Eric Walter Hahn died May 9, 2024 in Inverness, Florida. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 1, 1932, to Erich and Sarah (nee Feustel) Hahn.
Eric was raised in Queens, NY, graduating from Richmond Hill High School in 1950. In 1954, he
graduated from the University of Georgia, Athens and went on to serve as a radio operator in the
U.S. Army in Germany and France. Upon his return to New York in 1956, he married his Church
sweetheart, Janet Krobak to whom he was happily married for 58 years before her passing.
The newlyweds started their journey at the University of Georgia where Eric returned to pursue
his graduate studies. Soon they moved to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where
Eric earned his PhD in radiation biology. There, they joyfully welcomed their first two children,
Eric Craib in 1958, and Korina Katherine in 1960.
Next, they were off to the University of Rochester where Eric established himself as a scientist.
In 1962, their youngest child, Charles Gregor, was born. Eric then accepted a teaching position at
the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
In 1969, the family returned to New York making a new home for themselves in Westbury, Long
Island. Eric became a well-published scientist in the field of radiation oncology and his own
laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute.
Adventures awaited when in 1983, Eric and Janet not only built their retirement home in
Inverness, Florida, but also relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to serve at King Faisal Research
Hospital. Next, they moved to Heidelberg, Germany where Eric became faculty as a full
professor at the University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center. Until well
into the late 1990’s in “retirement”, he not only continued in Heidelberg as a visiting professor,
but also as a consultant for Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and the Henry Ford Cancer
Institute, Detroit, publishing in the field of radiation oncology. No matter where they went, Eric
and Janet created and fostered steadfast friendships.
Eric had a creative and engineering mind. When not working on innovative approaches to
treating cancer, Eric enjoyed accomplishing large and small projects around the home and
especially refinishing the furniture that he and Janet collected during their many travels.
The Lutheran Church was always important to Eric who loved to share his talents by singing in
the choir.
To the last day of his long life, Eric enjoyed staying in touch with his large family and many
friends via social media, doing multiple daily cross-word puzzles, and reading thrillers and
mysteries. He was lovingly cared for in his Inverness home by his daughter Kory and her
husband, Dave.
Eric was predeceased by his beloved wife Janet in 2014, and his dear friend June Dreger-Parsons
in February of 2024. He is survived by his three children Eric (Jennifer), Korina (David Wilson),
and Charlie (Ursula), 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness Tuesday, 14 May 2024 from 5 to 7pm.
A service of remembrance will be held at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Hernando on
Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 11 am with a light lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The burial
service will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Inverness.
Eric was raised in Queens, NY, graduating from Richmond Hill High School in 1950. In 1954, he
graduated from the University of Georgia, Athens and went on to serve as a radio operator in the
U.S. Army in Germany and France. Upon his return to New York in 1956, he married his Church
sweetheart, Janet Krobak to whom he was happily married for 58 years before her passing.
The newlyweds started their journey at the University of Georgia where Eric returned to pursue
his graduate studies. Soon they moved to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where
Eric earned his PhD in radiation biology. There, they joyfully welcomed their first two children,
Eric Craib in 1958, and Korina Katherine in 1960.
Next, they were off to the University of Rochester where Eric established himself as a scientist.
In 1962, their youngest child, Charles Gregor, was born. Eric then accepted a teaching position at
the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
In 1969, the family returned to New York making a new home for themselves in Westbury, Long
Island. Eric became a well-published scientist in the field of radiation oncology and his own
laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute.
Adventures awaited when in 1983, Eric and Janet not only built their retirement home in
Inverness, Florida, but also relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to serve at King Faisal Research
Hospital. Next, they moved to Heidelberg, Germany where Eric became faculty as a full
professor at the University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center. Until well
into the late 1990’s in “retirement”, he not only continued in Heidelberg as a visiting professor,
but also as a consultant for Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and the Henry Ford Cancer
Institute, Detroit, publishing in the field of radiation oncology. No matter where they went, Eric
and Janet created and fostered steadfast friendships.
Eric had a creative and engineering mind. When not working on innovative approaches to
treating cancer, Eric enjoyed accomplishing large and small projects around the home and
especially refinishing the furniture that he and Janet collected during their many travels.
The Lutheran Church was always important to Eric who loved to share his talents by singing in
the choir.
To the last day of his long life, Eric enjoyed staying in touch with his large family and many
friends via social media, doing multiple daily cross-word puzzles, and reading thrillers and
mysteries. He was lovingly cared for in his Inverness home by his daughter Kory and her
husband, Dave.
Eric was predeceased by his beloved wife Janet in 2014, and his dear friend June Dreger-Parsons
in February of 2024. He is survived by his three children Eric (Jennifer), Korina (David Wilson),
and Charlie (Ursula), 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness Tuesday, 14 May 2024 from 5 to 7pm.
A service of remembrance will be held at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Hernando on
Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 11 am with a light lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The burial
service will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Inverness.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eric W. Hahn, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Memorial Service
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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