Dr. Rosemary Versteegen

Dr. Rosemary "Rosie" Versteegen was a scientist, community leader, philanthropist, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose intelligence, generosity, and determination touched people and institutions in Garrett County and far beyond.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1948 to Jean and George Roberts, Rosie grew up in a science-focused home, where her interest in scientific research began early. She studied biochemistry at the University of Glasgow, earning her undergraduate degree in 1970 and her Ph.D. in 1974. Her doctoral research focused on enzyme kinetics, including the question of why plant tissue turns brown when it is bruised.

Her scientific training continued at the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Cambridge University, where she spent several years in intensive research. She then came to the United States as a fellow at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Rosie eventually joined the young biotechnology company Life Technologies, where she spent more than 20 years. Her work spanned manufacturing, regulatory affairs, new business development and strategic planning. She played a pivotal role in the company's efforts to obtain FDA approval for the first diagnostic test using synthetic nucleic acid probes to detect human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common causes of cervical cancer. Rosie was especially proud of this work because of its potential to protect young people and save lives.

At Life Technologies, Rosie was also the only woman in senior management, a position she held at a time when women in scientific and corporate leadership were still uncommon. Her accomplishments reflected not only her scientific ability, but also her determination to make her voice heard in a demanding field.

Later, Rosie became one of the co-founders and Chief Executive Officer of the International Serum Industry Association, an organization dedicated to promoting standards of excellence and ethics in the collection and use of animal serum and animal-derived products. Her expertise made her a trusted resource for government agencies and organizations around the world, which sought her advice on serum collection, standards, and use. Her work helped advance the safety and quality of materials essential to biomedical research and vaccine development.

For someone whose professional life took her around the world, Rosie found a place to put down roots much closer to home.

Rosie and her husband, Piet Versteegen, began spending time at Deep Creek Lake in the 1990s and eventually made Garrett County their home. Here, she brought the same energy and commitment to her community that she had brought to her scientific career.

She served as chair of the McHenry Highland Festival and helped establish its Burns Supper. She was involved in creating the Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival and served as its first chair. She volunteered with the Wisp Resort Mountain Hosts/Courtesy Patrol and supported numerous local events and organizations. Her contributions to Garrett County tourism were recognized when she was named an Honorary Golden Ambassador of Autumn Glory in 2013.

Education became another important part of Rosie's life in Garrett County. She and Piet were generous supporters of Garrett College, where Rosie helped advance opportunities for students and strengthen programs in science and the arts. She and a colleague co-chaired the College's STEM campaign, which ultimately grew into a $2.5 million effort supporting the Daniel E. Offutt III STEM Center. Rosie and Piet also supported the College's Performing Arts Center and provided funding for a wet classroom in memory of her younger sister, Margaret Brock.

Rosie's commitment to Garrett College continued for many years. She served on the Garrett College Foundation Board and ultimately became its chair, bringing her experience, energy and belief in the importance of education to the College and its students.

Her generosity extended to other organizations as well. Rosie and Piet supported the Dove Center and its fundraising efforts, including the Mountain Maryland Dragon Boat Festival and Festival of Trees, which support the Center's work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

But Rosie's impact cannot be measured simply by the organizations she served or the causes she supported. She was a person people could count on. She listened, encouraged, and connected people and ideas. She shared her knowledge and experience freely and stood behind people she believed in. She had the ability to see what could be accomplished and the determination to help make it happen.

That same spirit carried into her personal life. That was Rosie: science on one side, community on the other, and somehow enough energy in between to fit in a round of golf.

Rosie loved the outdoors and the active life Garrett County offered. She skied, golfed, boated, swam, and traveled the world. She loved to cook and entertain and treasured time with family and friends. Her life in Garrett County became rich with family, friendships, community, and the many relationships she formed along the way.

Rosie was passionate about Pilates and believed strongly in its benefits for both physical and mental well-being. She encouraged the people around her to experience it too, bringing friends along and introducing others to something that had become important to her own life. The Pilates community gave Rosie not only a way to stay active and centered, but also many wonderful friendships.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and George Roberts, and her younger sisters, Jennifer and Margaret. Rosie is survived by her husband, Piet, her children, Payter, Jami, and Derek, and her grandchildren, Lela, Audrey, Thaddeus, Sarina, Jay, Claudia, Devin, Colin, and Aiden. She is also survived by her nieces, Anna and Helen, and nephews, Stewart and Ewan, as well as many friends and members of her extended community who became part of her life.

Rosie's life crossed continents and disciplines. She built a remarkable career in science and biotechnology, but she also built a life rooted in people. She brought her knowledge, energy, and generosity to the places and organizations she cared about, always with a genuine interest in helping others succeed.

She was a force-strong, capable, and determined-but she was also deeply supportive and kind. She made people feel that their ideas mattered, that their work mattered and, most importantly, that they mattered.

Over the years, Rosie built deep roots in Garrett County. Her legacy lives on in the people she supported, the institutions she strengthened, the opportunities she helped create, and the impact she made along the way.