Dr. Francis Scott Furbish passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 22, 2025, at the age of 85. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Rue Ann Furbish; his son, Kevin Furbish, and daughter-in-law, Lamthuy Furbish; and his granddaughters, Alysia Furbish and Wilhelmina Ma-Wenberg.

Born on March 25, 1940, Scott was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Maine at a time when the field was still in its infancy and few people had even heard of it. He went on to complete a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Iowa State University and later an M.B.A. at Northeastern University. While at the University of Maine, he served as president of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where he honed the quick wit and sense of humor that he was known for throughout his life.

While at Iowa State, Scott met Rue Ann, who would become his wife and partner for more than five decades. Even as his memory declined later in life, his love for Rue Ann never wavered. Every day, he told her multiple times that he loved her and how well she took care of him, repeating it each time as if it were the first. When it became difficult to put the words together to communicate his thoughts, he had no such challenges expressing his love.

Early in his career, Scott chose to join the National Institutes of Health, where he contributed to research on a treatment for a rare, untreatable and often fatal, genetic disorder called Gaucher Disease. This research laid the groundwork for a promising new treatment, prompting the biotechnology startup Genzyme to recruit Scott to move his family from Maryland to Massachusetts. His expertise helped develop Genzyme’s first major product, Cerezyme, a breakthrough therapy for Gaucher Disease that changed lives around the world.

Scott also proudly served his country. During the Vietnam War, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and served as a Captain stationed at Valley Forge Army Hospital, where his son was born. Ever the scientist, the delivering doctor and Scott examined the placenta, a moment he would later recall with humor, noting that at the time he had no idea how many more placentas he would later see in his Gaucher research.

Scott’s curiosity and creativity extended well beyond the laboratory. He loved reading both fiction and nonfiction and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including cooking dishes from many cultures; growing roses, orchids, and vegetables; baking homemade bread; crafting jams, fresh pasta, and handmade dim sum; and exploring wines as a true connoisseur. He played racquetball with his NIH colleagues and later taught his son the game. In the kitchen and garden, he created beauty through his colorful flower gardens, the chef-like presentation of a meal, and the simple joy of sharing food made from home-grown ingredients.

He didn't fit the typical image of a sterile research scientist. He blending intellect with imagination, seriousness with humor, and science with art. He improved life through his medical research as well as the laughter and cheer he brought every day. In fact, his puns and playfulness were a signature part of his personality.

Scott and Rue Ann shared a lifelong love of travel and exploration. Together they journeyed around the world to learn about different cultures. His travels later continued professionally as he educated doctors and patients globally about how to recognize and treat Gaucher Disease.

Scott’s lifelong love of learning and curiosity deeply influenced his son. In 1980, before personal computers were common, he enrolled both himself and Kevin in a computer programming class. That experience sparked a passion that led Kevin to a career in technology.

Scott will be remembered not only for his scientific accomplishments but for his gentle soul, his humor, and his unwavering curiosity about the world. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the lives he changed through his work, and the humor, beauty, and curiosity he inspired in everyone who knew him.

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