Elliot Mark Rachlin, Ph.D. Obituary (1951 - 2007)

“Returned Home” Elliot Mark Rachlin, Ph.D., our wonderful husband, son, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away at home on January 18, 2007, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Elliot was born in Bronx, New York, in 1951 as the only child of Morris and Vera Rachlin. He later married Joyce Rohbock in 1992. Elliot lived his early years in Freehold, New Jersey, and attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Kent State University, and Seton Hall University. He studied the sciences, more particularly chemistry. He moved to Utah in 1983 to accept the position of Research Associate, University of Utah, Department of Medicinal Chemistry. In 1987, he accepted a position with the Chemistry Department, University of Utah, to operate its Mass Spectrometry Laboratory. He loved working with and had the greatest respect, admiration, and gratitude to the many scientists, faculty/staff, and students with whom he associated. Elliot was a compassionate, loving person who appreciated the worth of every individual. His understanding and love was rooted in the physical challenges he faced his entire life. He suffered with scoliosis or curvature of the spine since he was a young boy. The social challenges his condition presented tutored him in the importance of accepting and loving each person. During the last decade of his life, the scoliosis became severe and caused him severe pain daily. In May 2003, Elliot had three separate spine surgeries to correct the scoliosis to the extent possible. Elliot never regretted his surgeries and was always grateful to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals for all their efforts in his behalf. During the final years of his life, he commented continually how the surgeries allowed him to enjoy three years of “standing straight and tall, with no pain!” Elliot was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His absolute confidence in and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, gave him the strength to endure the many illnesses, diseases, and operations he experienced in his later life. Though never blessed with children, Elliot’s life was full of love and good times with his many nieces and nephews. He cherished his entire family and his many friends. Elliot is survived by his wife, mother, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Rachlin. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at the Union Fort 7th Ward, 6770 S 500 E, Midvale, Utah. Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, and also from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services on Wednesday. Interment: Orem City Cemetery. Elliot’s heartfelt desire was to live each day with integrity, purpose, and love, and his family feels he succeeded!