Jussi J. Saukkonen Sr.; was a dean at Jefferson

Jussi J. Saukkonen Sr., 83, of Newton, Mass., and Boynton Beach, Fla., a physician and educator who served at Thomas Jefferson University as one of the longest-tenured graduate school deans in the United States, died of cancer Friday, Oct. 3, at Stanley R. Tippet Hospice Home in Needham, Mass.

Dr. Saukkonen served as dean of the College of Graduate Studies and university vice president for science policy, technology development, and international affairs from 1981 to 2003, and was a founder of the technology transfer program at Jefferson.

Dr. Saukkonen was born in Helsinki, Finland. In 1948, he graduated from a high school there; his father was principal and his mother taught biology.

He was a lieutenant in the Finnish army as a reserve medical officer until 1957. That year, he moved to New York City to conduct postdoctoral research as a Fulbright scholar at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. His research centered around molecular biology and DNA replication.

In 1959, he met Leah Coron, a Juilliard-trained pianist and native New Yorker. After they married that year, the two moved to Helsinki and raised two sons.

 In 1969, Dr. Saukkonen moved to Wynnewood and later Society Hill, working as professor of microbiology at Jefferson from 1972 to 2006.

He used his international connections to build relationships at Jefferson that still exist.

"He was a rationalist, a scientist, but a compassionate man with a curiosity about people in the world," said his son Jussi Jr.

Content with his academic and professional contributions, his son said, he retired in 2004 to travel and spend time with his family.

He served as a governor of the American Finnish Society Museum in Philadelphia, and established the Finnish-American Society of the Delaware Valley.

In addition to his wife and son, Dr. Saukkonen is survived by son Kai, two sisters, and a brother.

A private family service will be held at the Newton Cemetery.