Jeffrey H. Ware, 47, scientist at Penn

Jeffrey Hart Ware, 47, of Haddonfield, a University of Pennsylvania scientist who studied the effects of radiation on living organisms, died of a rare form of brain cancer on Sunday, Oct. 23, at home.

Dr. Ware was a senior research scientist in the radiation oncology department at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. His work included the study of compounds to protect astronauts from space radiation and their possible application in preventing cancer in high-risk individuals.

A native of Connecticut, Dr. Ware graduated from Bunnell High School in Stratford, Conn., in 1982. He then earned a bachelor's degree from Penn as well as a doctorate in neuroscience.

He worked with Ann Kennedy, a professor in the school's Department of Radiation Oncology, during a post-doctoral fellowship funded by the National Institutes of Health.

"Jeff was staunchly loyal to Penn and spent his entire career here," Kennedy said. "He was a dedicated, imaginative, and hardworking colleague."

Dr. Ware "dedicated his professional life to one of our more important missions, which is trying to find better treatments for cancer patients," said Stephen Hahn, chair of the department. He described Dr. Ware as "an exceptional researcher."

After his diagnosis last year, Dr. Ware underwent three surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Up to the end, he spoke like a Ph.D., said his wife, Barbara Boyer, a staff writer at The Inquirer. "He lost cognitive skills to do everyday tasks, but he never lost his intellect," she said.

A talented woodworker, he would measure and mark angles, and then she would do the cutting with a saw, his wife said. He also recently helped her analyze Camden crime statistics, she said.

Dr. Ware became involved in his future wife's work on their first date. It was January 2001, and Boyer was then The Inquirer's night police reporter. They planned to meet at a Chinatown restaurant after her shift.

On the way there, Dr. Ware witnessed a shooting in Center City and was interviewed by Boyer and a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News.

"For Valentine's Day, I gave him a photo of the crime scene by a Daily News photographer," Boyer said.

The couple married in October 2002.

As teenagers, Dr. Ware and his brother, David, were members of the Stratford (Conn.) Police Athletic League Rifle Team, which won a state championship.

He became interested in martial arts while at Penn and earned a triple black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

He and his wife were restoring a log cabin in the Poconos as a family retreat. He was devoted to their daughters, Dorothy, 8, and Isabella, 4, and was very involved in their lives, Boyer said.

In addition to his wife, daughters, and brother, Dr. Ware is survived by his mother, Virginia Ware; and a sister, Christine.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, and at First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, 20 E. Kings Highway, Haddonfield, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. A memorial service will be held at the church at 11 a.m.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J. 08034.