Former Pharmacology Professor Athos Ottolenghi Dies
Faculty member taught at Duke for 40 years
Athos Ottolenghi, 84, of Durham, a pharmacology professor at Duke for 40 years, died on December 23, 2007. Athos died at Durham Duke Hospital after a long illness and was surrounded by family and close friends. Athos was born on May 31, 1923, in Pavia, Italy, to Anna Chiesa and Ugo Ottolenghi.
Athos grew up in Pavia, Italy, and graduated from the University of Pavia in 1946 with a laureate in medicine and became a doctor in 1948. He continued his education and graduated from University of Bari as a professor of pharmacology and physiology in 1952. Athos was a recipient of the first Fulbright Fellowship in Pharmacology in 1953. He had a distinguished and enjoyable career with the Duke University where he worked as a professor of pharmacology from 1953 to 1993.
Athos cherished many long, lasting friendships throughout his career with Duke University. Athos was a faithful and devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church of Durham and was also a professor emeritus of Duke University for 14 years. Athos also enjoyed spending time as a collector of photographs of eminent opera singer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and historian of pharmacology.
Athos is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Anna Ottolenghi; son, Hugo Ottolenghi; son, Les Ottolenghi; and many other dear friends and family members. Athos was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Chiesa-Ottolenghi, and father, Ugo Ottolenghi. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Carlos DeCastro of the Duke University Medical Center Hematology Department for the extraordinary care given to Athos.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Development, DUMC 3828, Durham, NC 27710 in the name of Athos Ottolenghi for the department of hematology and oncology.
Private Services for Dr. Ottolenghi were held in Durham on December 29 and in Palm Beach Gardens Florida, at the home of his son, Hugo.
Funeral arrangements are by Maplewood Cemetery.