The fields of protozoology, parasitology, and tropical medicine are notably poorer with the recent passing of Professor William Trager, world-renowned and highly respected scientist, on 22 January 2005. He was approaching his 95th birthday, but was still active academically and was often found in his office at the Rockefeller University, New York City.
Bill was born 20 March 1910 in Newark, New Jersey, to Leon and Anna Trager and raised in an intellectually stimulating environment that produced 2 recognized scholars. His brother George was a highly regarded linguist. Bill was proud of his B.S. degree obtained in 1930 from Rutgers University, once correcting an off-handed remark about Rutgers with, “be careful how you speak of that fine institution.” And Rutgers is proud of Bill Trager, listing him on its Web page among its notable alumni. He received master's and doctoral degrees from Harvard University in 1931 and 1933, respectively. His...