Axel Karl Gunnar åBerg
In Loving Memory
Dr. Axel Karl Gunnar Åberg died peacefully in his home on Sunday, November 10th, 2024 in Lakewood Ranch, FL at the age of 88. Gunnar is survived by his wife, Laurie; brother; Torbjörn; daughter, Maria; son, Peter (Amber); grandchildren Anneliese, Henry, Adam & Oliver.
Gunnar was born in Falkenberg, Sweden on March 16th, 1936 to Thorsten & Birgit Åberg. He was the eldest of four children, and brother to Birgitta, Lennart, and Torbjörn. In 1970, he and his first wife, Britt Marie, welcomed his daughter, Maria. He later moved to the United States where he married his second wife, Laurie. Gunnar and Laurie welcomed their son, Peter, in 1981, and remained married for 46 years until his passing.
After completing his mandatory Swedish Military service, Gunnar worked as a prison guard and high school science teacher. He pursued advanced education in chemistry and pharmacology, and earned his Ph. D. and M.D. Degrees at the University of Linköping, Sweden, in 1972. Gunnar was well known and respected for his professional achievements in pharmacology. He held high-level positions at several major pharmaceutical companies, including Bofors and Hässle in Sweden, and Astra, Ciba-Giegy, Squibb and Sepracor in the United States. In 1996, he formed his own pharmaceutical research and development company, Bridge Pharma Inc., in Sarasota, Florida. He held over 400 international patents and 50 US patents, and many drugs that his teams developed are still used regularly today. He was a notable public speaker and leader who took care of those around him. Gunnar’s friends and family remember him as kind, generous, funny, hard working, and intelligent.
His family had a private memorial at his home on Saturday, December 21st. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation. Gunnar will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.