Dr. Jaak Panksepp, 73, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 in Bowling Green,
Ohio, surrounded by his loving family.
Dr. Panksepp was born on June 5, 1943 in Tartu, Estonia to the late Rudolph and Salme (Leet) Panksepp. He
married Anesa Miller in 1991 and she survives him in Bowling Green.
Dr. Panksepp was a professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in the
Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy and Pharmacology and Physiology Department. Prior to his work at
Washington State University, Dr. Panksepp taught at Bowling Green State University where he was a
neuroscientist in the Psychology Department retiring in 1998.
During his career at BGSU, Dr. Panksepp did extensive research and helped develop the still controversial
opioid-antagonist therapy for autistic children along with pursuing new therapies for the treatment of
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), and depression.
Dr. Panksepp also served as an adjunct professor for the Medical College of Ohio (UTMC).
His most recent research was focused on the brain mechanisms of emotion experience. Dr. Panksepp traveled
all over the world where he would perform lectures on his research.
He was very proud and honored when he received the Order of the White Star, which was personally given to
him by the president of Estonia. Dr. Panksepp truly loved his work and was devoted to his research, he
also loved to research music in his spare time, however, his family was his true pride and joy.
Dr. Panksepp is survived  by his wife: Anesa; a son: Jules Panksepp, of Portland, Oregon; stepdaughters:
Antonia Pogacar, of Washington, DC; Ruth (Michal) Pogacar-Kouril, of Cincinnati, Ohio; a stepgrandson:
Josefa Kouril; along with a host of loving relatives and colleagues.
Along with his parents, Dr. Panksepp was preceded in death by a daughter, Tiina Panksepp, and a brother,
Jaan Panksepp.
A memorial service for Dr. Panksepp will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 4 p.m. in Prout Chapel
located on the campus of Bowling Green State University.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory, 1460 W. Wooster
St./P.O. Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Tele: 419-352-2171.
Memorial contributions in Dr. Panksepp’s honor may be gifted to the John P. Scott Center for
Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior at Bowling Green State University payable to BGSU Foundation. Please
include the Fund Number 301621 or JP Scott Center for NMB Fund in the memo line.
Online condolences as well as fond memories may be left for the Panksepp family by visiting
www.hannemanfh.com.