Nancy Jane Rachman

Nancy Jane Rachman March 5, 1947 – September 9, 2024

Nancy Jane Rachman, born in Philadelphia, PA, on March 25, 1947, passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 77. She was the daughter of Ruth and Isadore Rachman, both deceased

Nancy displayed extraordinary intellect and leadership from an early age. She consistently excelled academically throughout her schooling, serving as a leader in student government, and earning distinctions such as National Merit Scholar and Magna Cum Laude. She was the first in her family to attend college and went on to earn her PhD in Biology from Princeton University.

Nancy’s career was marked by a passion for science and environmental advocacy. She began her professional life researching insect neurophysiology, focusing on natural insect control approaches. Over time, her interests evolved to more applied science in Environment and Public Health, and she became an expert in exposure assessment, risk assessment, safety evaluation, toxicology, and science policy. Throughout her distinguished career, she held senior executive roles at American Cyanamid, ENVIRON, Dole Food, Exponent, the Grocery Manufacturer's Association, and the International Life Sciences Institute. She travelled globally for her work, and over the course of her life resided in New York City, Princeton, NJ, Amherst, MA, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and ultimately the Washington, DC area, where she retired and lived until her passing.

Nancy’s passions extended far beyond her professional achievements. She possessed an insatiable intellectual curiosity, which led her to explore a wide range of scientific, societal, and cultural issues. She held a deep love for all things scientific, the arts, gardening, and food. In her youth, she studied classical and modern dance, participated in theatrical productions, and continued singing in vocal groups throughout her life up through the end. She read voraciously, and enjoyed theatre, music, museums, and gardens, and followed world events closely. She had an intensely creative spirit expressed in designing abstract fiber art pieces, clothing and household items, her joy in home design, in her prolific professional writing. and reflected in her intense interest in art history. She took great pride in her work as a volunteer docent for the Smithsonian Institute.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Fred, and his partner, David Ley, her cousins Steve, Neal, Ronald, Howard, and Bruce Gallop, and her long-term companion Bob (Orlo) Ehart, along with a wide circle of loving friends who cherished her warmth, generosity, her wit and her ability to bring people together.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held through various events throughout the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to causes reflective of her interest in science, the arts, social justice and human welfare.