Dr. Peter Kurt Alfred Lauf, 91, a devoted husband, loving father of three children, grandfather to seven grandchildren, eminent research scientist in the field of cell physiology, and ardent patron and performer of music, passed away peacefully in Louisville, Ky., on Feb. 3, 2025.
Born in Wurzburg, Germany, on Sept. 25, 1933, Peter braved turbulent war times to follow his father's passion for medicine, attending medical school in Freiburg, Germany, while pursuing his love for music, as well as mountaineering in the Alps. He was the son of a doctor, and musician wife, and had two younger brothers. Peter began his career as an internal medicine doctor and served as a research fellow at the Max Planck institute. From a first marriage he had two daughters, Cornelia and Bettina. In 1963, Dr. Lauf chose to follow a research career in cell membrane transport physiology in the United States, bringing his young family to Detroit, Mich., where he worked at the Children's Hospital and lived in Oak Park.
In 1968, Dr. Lauf was appointed at Duke University in North Carolina where he performed seminal research in discovering the potassium-chloride cotransporter under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Tosteson. In 1981 he met biochemist and biophysicist Dr. Norma Adragna, a researcher at Harvard University. They married in 1982. In 1985, Dr. Lauf assumed the role of chair in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Wright State University, and moved to Dayton with Norma and their young son, Adrian. Dr. Lauf held the chairmanship for 18 years. He became professor emeritus and was awarded the distinction of University Professor. He was a founder of the Ohio Physiological Society, published over 340 papers, and received over 5,500 citations. Respected and beloved by his colleagues and students, Dr. Lauf helped many begin careers in science. His final appointment was on the faculty of the University of Louisville Physiology Department at the School of Medicine. Dr. Lauf and his wife, Norma, moved to the Louisville, Ky., area in 2019.
Peter had a sharp mind throughout his entire life, engaging friends, family and colleagues in spirited discussions about philosophy, music, sciences, and life. He imbued his love of these subjects to his children. He was also a passionate supporter of the musical arts, and played both piano and harpsichord, starting ensembles and attending concerts together with his three children. He had a passion for skiing, which he enjoyed through his 90th birthday, for cooking, gardening and orchids, as well as bird-watching. His legacy lives on in his contributions to science, and in the hearts and minds of all those he touched.
Dr. Lauf is survived by his widow, Norma Adragna Lauf; his children: Cornelia Lauf (Giuseppe Catalano di Melilli), Bettina Forbes (Patrick), Adrian Peter Orion Lauf (Cecilia Huerta-Lauf); his grandchildren: Noema Kosuth (Edison Pashkaj); Klio Kosuth, Raymond Walter Forbes, Ava Clara Forbes, Maria Cecilia Lauf, Michael Peter Gustavo Lauf, Lydia Cecilia Lauf.
A memorial service will be held at the Pearson Funeral Home at 149 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, on February 15th at 11 a.m., with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisville Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Louisville, the Filson Historical Society, and the Louisville Urban League.
