Dr. Albert Sjoerdsma

Southern Shores – Dr. Albert Sjoerdsma of Southern Shores died at home February 27 of cardiac arrest after an extended illness.  He was 89.  Born in Lansing, Ill., Dr. Sjoerdsma received his B.S., M.D., and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.  He gained international prominence in the 1950s at the National Institutes of Health for his discovery of the carcinoid syndrome.  He went on to have an illustrious 40-year career in drug research and  development, retiring as president of the Merrell Dow Research Institute.  He was responsible for the drugs Aldomet, Sabril, Ornidyl, and Allegra among others.

Dr. Sjoerdsma is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dr. Fern MacAllister of the home; daughters, Leslie (Mark) Swink of Jacksonville, FL; Ann Sjoerdsma of Southern Shores; and Britt Sjoerdsma of Sarasota, FL; son, Albert Sjoerdsma Jr. of Ann Arbor, MI; brother Peter (Janice) Sjoerdsma of Punta Gorda, FL.; two grandchildren; three nephews, one niece and numerous cousins.

A viewing will be held Wednesday March 5, 2014 from 7 to 9 pm at the Gallop Funeral Services Chapel in Nags Head.  Funeral service and burial will be private.  Plans are pending for a memorial service.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.