In Memoriam

In memoriam: Maurice Bessman

Connor O'Hara
Feb. 28, 2022

Maurice Jules Bessman, professor emeritus and longtime researcher at Johns Hopkins University, died Nov. 12 from complications of pneumonia at his home in Baltimore. He was 93. 

Maurice Bessman

Known by peers as “Moishe” and by students as “Boss” (among many other nicknames), Bessman spent his life working in biochemical enzymology, with many of those years spent at Hopkins in the biology department at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Bessman was elected valedictorian of Weequahic High School in 1946. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1949, followed by graduate research at Tufts University where he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in 1952 and 1955, respectively.

Described by many as a gifted biochemist, Bessman was all business when it came to his work on Nudix hydrolase enzymes. His lab used bacteria to express many members of this broad enzyme family to better understand their biological role and function. His work specifically identified a core common amino acid sequence that is expressed by these proteins, allowing a broader understanding of these enzymes in their ability to cleave nucleoside diphosphates conjugated to any other moiety (x). Nudix enzymes are found in all types of organisms, acting as surveillance proteins; Bessman’s work made him a pioneer in this field of study. Many of his findings were published in journals such as Nature and are extensively cited.

Bessman was a kind and affectionate individual, who worked to establish a strong research program and support the growth of younger scientists, according to obituaries in the Hopkins Hub and the Baltimore Sun. Vincent Hilser, chair of the biology department, considered him “a great person.” Colleague Edward Hedgecock reflected on convivial Friday evening gatherings where Bessman served popcorn. Myron Goodman, a former student, recalled that Bessman’s tough love provided a turning point during his postdoc that launched his career. 

Those close to him knew Bessman for his stories and sense of humor. He spent summers with his family on Cape Cod, fishing, clamming and enjoying other outdoor activities. He was also an avid fan and supporter of the Blue Jays lacrosse team at Hopkins — so much so that an admiring alumnus established a Maurice Bessman Lacrosse Scholarship in 2016. 

Bessman is survived by his wife, Zita; son, Edward; daughters Debra and Cindee; sister Marcelle; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Sheri, died in 2009.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Connor O'Hara

Connor O’Hara is a graduate student in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Outside of his research, he enjoys a tall pint at his local pub and the company of good friends. 

Related articles

In memoriam: Isao Yamazaki
ASBMB Today Staff
In memoriam: Clark Bublitz
ASBMB Today Staff
In memoriam: Tsuneo Omura
F. Peter Guengerich, Bettie Sue Masters & Ken-Ichirou Morohashi
In memoriam: Henry Bourne
ASBMB Today Staff
In memoriam: George Kalf
Christopher Radka

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in People

People highlights or most popular articles

Shedding light on Usher syndrome
Health Observance

Shedding light on Usher syndrome

Sept. 16, 2023

On this awareness day, learn about the most common cause of genetic deaf–blindness and those it affects.

Top-notch papers by postdocs
Observance

Top-notch papers by postdocs

Sept. 15, 2023

During National Postdoc Appreciation Week, learn about the postdoc first authors of the most-read papers in ASBMB’s journals.

Completing the cycle of genomic medicine
Health Observance

Completing the cycle of genomic medicine

Sept. 11, 2023

Wolfgang Pernice is both a patient with and a researcher of Charcot‒Marie‒Tooth disease.

Honors for Nogales, Marqusee, Cohen and Hobbs
Member News

Honors for Nogales, Marqusee, Cohen and Hobbs

Sept. 4, 2023

Awards, promotions, milestones and more. Find out what's going on in the lives of ASBMB members.

In memoriam: Henry Bourne
In Memoriam

In memoriam: Henry Bourne

Sept. 4, 2023

He was a professor at UC San Francisco for four decades focusing his research on the role of G proteins in cell signaling and disease, and an ASBMB member for almost 30 years.

Combining project management and people management in industry
Jobs

Combining project management and people management in industry

Sept. 1, 2023

Our industry careers columnist talked to Isha Dey, a cell biologist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, about her role as a scientist in industry.