Bruce Witzel

Bruce Witzel, 89, beloved father, grandfather, and companion, passed away at his residence in Scotch Plains, New Jersey on Monday, March 9, 2026.

A distinguished organic chemist, Bruce enjoyed a long and accomplished career. He spent 32 years as a Research Fellow with Merck & Co. in Rahway, where his work contributed to the development of important medicines, including the anti-inflammatory drug Clinoril (Sulindac), which he synthesized. Over the course of his professional life, he was the inventor or co-inventor on 101 United States patents and co-authored more than twenty scientific papers on treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, immune-suppressive agents, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and industrial biocides. He also served for one year as Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs for Animal Science Research International at Merck. Earlier in his career, he worked as an organic chemist for the Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in the early 1960s shared his passion for chemistry as an evening laboratory instructor at Union County College in Cranford.

Bruce was a proud graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and played on the varsity basketball team while becoming a brother of Delta Nu Fraternity. He later received a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Maryland and pursued additional advanced studies at Rutgers University’s graduate school in Newark. He was a longtime member of the American Chemical Society.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bruce was an avid bridge player and a member of the American Contract Bridge League, attaining the rank of Diamond Life Master with more than 8,000 masterpoints. He found great joy in painting, completing more than 400 works in oil and acrylic—landscapes, still lifes, florals, and handmade greeting cards that he lovingly shared with family and friends. He was endlessly curious, an enthusiastic reader of World War II history and the Bible, and always eager to help others with technology and computer repairs. One of his most cherished undertakings was the creation of an extensive Witzel family slideshow, comprising more than 360 slides drawn from photographs and research dating back to the mid-1800s, which he carried proudly and shared with anyone interested in the family’s history.

Above all, Bruce treasured his family. He remained deeply involved in his grandchildren’s lives, rarely missing a game or activity, and celebrated every birthday and holiday with them. He delighted in sending silly jokes and texts, and with camera in hand, he captured countless moments that became treasured family memories.

Predeceased by his daughter Karyn Elaine Witzel, his brother Dr. Erich A. Witzel and sister-in-law Jane, Bruce is survived by his former wife Janet DeFiore and her husband Ralph, his children Susan Witzel, Thomas Witzel and his wife Lisa Travaglini, Lauren Stravach and her husband Ed, and his son-in-law Jonathan Diaz. He is also survived by eight grandchildren—Juliette Diaz Black and her husband Nate, Michael Stravach and his wife Caroline, Gabrielle and her husband Will Chandler, Matthew and Samantha Stravach, Christopher, Alissa and Rachel Witzel—and three great-grandchildren, Kendall, Charlotte and Bennett. Bruce is also survived by his best friend and cherished companion of twenty-two years, Liz Evans, with whom he shared a life centered on family, friends, bridge, lively games of charades, dinners out, and a deep love of animals. He was predeceased by his beloved cat Cali and is survived by Muffi.