Jack Durell

DURELL JACK, Age 92, on April 12, 2021 of Haverford, PA formerly of McLean, VA. Dr. Jack Durell passed away peacefully, his wife Myrna Marcus by his side, in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is remembered as a leading researcher and respected public health professional. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Viviane Durell. He is survived by his brother Robert Durell and sister Marjorie Schneider. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Jack had an early aptitude for science. He graduated from The Bronx High School of Science in 1945 and went on to earn a degree in biochemistry at Harvard University. He then pursued graduate studies at the Yale School of Medicine, where he later returned as a psychiatry resident. In the following seventy years, Dr. Durell became known as a leader in modern psychiatry and an expert in the forefront of substance use disorders research as Associate Director of Science at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. His primary research into the biological aspects of affective illness and psychoses helped him earn the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Meritorious Service Medal in 1985. In 1992, he co-founded The Treatment Research Institute (TRI), an independent nonprofit that provides evidence-based solutions to substance abuse. He continued to serve as executive director of TRI when he established DeltaMetrics, a national research, evaluation, and consulting organization dedicated to the improvement of substance abuse and other behavioral health care treatment. Dr Durell has been described by many as a man of integrity and loyal friend who sought to bring out the best in people. He enjoyed the art of conversation and healthy debate, especially when accompanied by an excellent meal and bottle of French wine from his collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy vintages. In celebration of Jack’s passion for education and mentoring, his family has established a memorial fund with Bronx Science High School.