Sanford Abraham Asher
January 16, 2026

SANFORD ABRAHAM ASHER: Born Sane Abram Ascher in 1947 in the Landsberg am Lech Displaced Persons camp to Holocaust survivors Pnina Ascher (Pearl Asher) and Dow Ascher (Leo Asher), lived a life shaped by curiosity, careful thinking, and a deep commitment to understanding the world.

From early on, Sandy was driven by a need to know how things worked. That instinct-persistent, patient, and sometimes stubborn-became the guiding force of his life, informing not only his scientific work but the way he approached ideas, conversations, and people. He believed that questions were worth sitting with, and that clarity was something you earned.

He met his wife, Nancy Day, at the University of California, Berkeley while both were in graduate school. Together they built a life defined by family, partnership, and discovery. Nancy was his life partner, and their marriage was grounded in shared curiosity, respect, a love of adventure and travel, and a genuine enjoyment of one another. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in just a few months.

Sandy was the father of three children: Rachel, David, and the late Dianne. He was a loving grandfather to Liv and Nova Silver; David and Karen Asher's children Gregory Asher (Michaun "Bunny" Asher) and Benjamin Asher; and Dianne's children Zachary and Dylan Lescisin. He loved his grandchildren deeply and took great joy in being part of their lives.

He is survived by his brother Rabbi Michael (Robin) Asher, and Michael's children Ash (Erica) and Phillip (Kristin). He was preceded in death by his brother Harvey Asher.

Sanford Asher received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, and was a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Asher is best known for pioneering ultraviolet (UV) resonance Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based technique for studying the shapes and motions of proteins in aqueous solutions-molecules that control the biological activity of all forms of life. His work also included the development of ultraviolet laser light sources for the detection of explosives to improve military safety, the search for signs of life on Mars, and the study of optical growth conditions for commercial materials. He also studied crystalline colloidal assemblies for use in optical sensing, switching, and displays. Reflecting the breadth of his work, he received funding from a wide range of agencies including the NIH, NSF, ONR, DOD, NASA, and JPL.

Sandy believed curiosity was not a luxury, but a necessity for an interesting and meaningful life. He often reminded students,

"If you are not confused, you are not thinking hard enough."

Many of the students and postdoctoral trainees in his laboratory, as well as new and junior faculty in the department, were inspired by his curiosity, intellect, and adventurous spirit and went on to highly successful academic and industrial careers.

He will be remembered not only for the discoveries he shaped, but for the way he helped others approach the mysteries of life with humility and wonder.

In keeping with his lifelong commitment to science and discovery, Sandy donated his brain to scientific research.

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Wednesday, January 21 at 12 Noon. NO Prior Visitation. Interment Private. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Send Condolence

I worked in Sandy's labs for 35 years. I took him on his first whitewater adventure. He was a kind and generous man. My most sincere condolences to all that loved him.

By James McNerney - January 27, 2026

---

I would like to extend my condolences to the family of sandy asher. He was highly regarded in the vibrational spectoscopy as a colleage, friend, mentor. His contributions in the field of spectroscopy were considerable. I learned alot from him in his research group in the late 80's. Peace and blessings to his family

By peter john larkin - January 24, 2026

---

Dear Nancy, I was deeply saddened to learn of Sandy's passing and send my condolences to you and your family. I fondly recall the many times over the years that Sandy invited me over to his office to show me his latest experimental results involving applications of Raman spectroscopy as well as on colloidal systems and hydrogels. Sandy had a real knack for identifying important scientific problems and making important advances in those areas. He also cared deeply about the department and the university and many an evening, I would get an email from Sandy asking "can you talk now". I also fondly remember our adventures outside of science in our early days in Pittsburgh. In particular, I remember helping Sandy install a new, large custom-made pane of glass in a front window of your house on Beacon. After a couple hours of work, we had it in and it was all set to glaze, and then Sandy said, it needed one more glazing point. When pounding it in, a crack formed across the pane. I am not sure how it ever got replaced. I will greatly miss Sandy. Again, my condolences

By Ken Jordan - January 21, 2026

---

Dear Nancy: I wanted to send my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your husband and their father, Sandy. As you know, Sandy was brilliant and the University is proud and happy to have listed as one of its Distinguished Professors. I worked closely with Sandy on several university proposals and they all stood out of having a spark of genius in them due mostly to Sandy's intellect. I was lucky to consider Sandy as a friend and he will be sadly missed by the University community. I know these are tough time for all of you but remembering the happy times somehow lets us recover with time. George Klinzing

By to Nancy Day from George Klinzing - January 21, 2026

---

Dear Dr. Nancy, I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Asher’s passing. I am truly sorry for your loss. I was very fortunate to have Dr. Asher as my PhD advisor. His curiosity about understanding nature, his deep thinking about problems, and his sense of humor inspired me from the very beginning of my PhD and continue to inspire me today, a decade after my graduation. He left a lasting impact on my life and career. Dr. Asher will be remembered and missed by many people he inspired through his career.

By Zhenmin Hong - January 21, 2026

---

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Asher. He was a great scholar and a generous mentor. May he rest in peace.

By Kangtaek Lee - January 21, 2026

---

My deepest sympathies to Sandy’s family.

By Fran Nagy - January 20, 2026

---

Sandy was a wonderful colleague, insightful, respectful and brilliant. He always made me think about what I was trying to convey and always made me smile when we conversed. I and the whole SHERLOC team will miss him and his contributions to Mars exploration will be forever write in stone on the surface of the planet. Raman in peace Sandy.

By Andrew Steele - January 20, 2026

---

Dear Nancy, Rachel, David and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Sandy was a great man respected and admired by those who knew him professionally and personally. As a mentor and as a friend he never stopped to amaze by his wise approach to problems, kind and thoughtful advice, unique take on life events, and contagious curiosity. Sandy will be remembered and missed by many who were lucky to know him. With deepest sympathy, Igor, Tania and Alex Lednev

By Igor, Tania and Alex Lednev - January 20, 2026

---

What a kind, wonderful man. He will truly be missed. Shalom Sandy.

By Michael Shepard - January 20, 2026

---

I am so sorry to hear of Sandy's passing. He was a brilliant scientist and wonderful teacher who has contributed so much to science and knowledge. I know he was a mentor to so many students and he will be missed. May he rest in peace.

By Valentino DeVito - January 19, 2026

---

Sandy was a brilliant and kind man. Whenever we spoke, he listened to my ideas with enthusiasm. His questions were always thoughtful, and even if he saw things differently, he never talked condescendingly about anyone, including their educational background or their ideas. He was a giant in the Pittsburgh scientific community and he will be missed.

By Marla Kruth - January 19, 2026

---

So sad to hear about Sandy. I’ve known him for over 35 years. I’ve learned so much from him and had so much respect for him. I’ve told him many times that without him there would not have been a deep UV Raman and fluorescence instrument, SHERLOC, on Mars today. I’ve made this acknowledgment in many papers I’ve written . Many will miss him greatly. Please give my condolences to Nancy and their family.

By William (Bill) Hug - January 19, 2026

---

May his soul rest in peace 🙏

By Manash K Ghosh - January 18, 2026

---