Yigal Haim Ehrlich, PhD
October 9, 1943 – March 24, 2025
Devoted, beloved husband of Dr. Elizabeth Kornecki Ehrlich; cherished, loving father of Daniel Asher Ehrlich (Sara Chastain Ehrlich), Ari David Ehrlich (Cristina Cruz Ehrlich), and Sharon Maya Ehrlich (Solène Bern); adoring grandfather of Asher Ehrlich, Alana Ehrlich, Adrian Ehrlich, and Phoenix Bern-Ehrlich; treasured son of Yigal Asher Ehrlich and Regina Eisenberg Ehrlich; dearest brother of Shuki Ehrlich (Rachele Ehrlich); dear uncle of Ronni and Yonni Ehrlich; brother-in-law of Emil Kornecki (Margaret Vargas); and loyal, loving, doggy daddy of Mimi, Bobo, and Nano; and joyous friend of many.
A true Israeli sabra, a bit prickly on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. Yigal was born and raised in Tel Aviv, served as a proud soldier in the IDF, and began his lifelong love of gardening in a desert kibbutz. He received his Masters of Science at Tel Aviv University and his Doctorate at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Revhovot. He made his way to the US in 1972 to do his postdoctoral research at Northwestern University and went on to become a professor of Biology and Neuroscience at the University of Vermont and later CUNY, Staten Island, NY.
Yigal’s lifelong, prolific contributions to neuro-scientific research, alongside his top research partner and wife, Dr. Elizabeth Kornecki, include the discovery of an ePKC on the surface of human platelets that targets the F11 receptor and F11R’s involvement in smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and peptide-1 inhibitors. He was listed in “Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology” for advancing the understanding of extra cellular protein phosphorylation and its influence on neuronal function and development. He published over 100 scientific articles, presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, and published four books in the prestigious series of Plenum Press, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.
Beyond his commitment to the advancement of science, Yigal devoted his life and heart to his cherished, soulmate Lizzie, their 42-year marriage, exploring land and sea, deeply loving his kids and grandkids, saving, scruffy, little dogs, and splashing into the waves in his own backyard. He will forever be remembered and celebrated for his big, boisterous, heart, his jovial child-like spirit, his unforgettable low humming laugh, his wise words, passionate delivery, and his relentless insistence on maximizing and savoring the joy in every single moment.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center in Yigal’s name, and are greatly appreciated.
Yigal will be laid to rest in his beloved paradise in St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at James Memorial Funeral Home from 8am to 9:30am, (6AA La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands, 00820)
Burial Service directly to follow at the Jewish Community Cemetery of St. Croix at 10am, (34 Hill St. Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands, 00820)
