Robert L. Rausch, a member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene for more than 35 years, died October 6, 2012, at his home on Bainbridge Island, Wash. At the time, Rausch was an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington.
He studied at the Ohio State University (zoology BA and entomology DVM), at Michigan State University (MS, bacterilogy and parasitology), and at the University of Wisconsin (PhD, parasitology and wildlife management).
In 1948, he was selected to begin investigations at the Arctic Health Research Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The center was created by the U.S. Public Health Service to improve the health and welfare of the people of Alaska, especially the indigenous population. Rausch directed and participated in studies of zoonoses and other infectious agents found in the region. Rausch helped initiate investigations that endured for more than 25 years and helped improve health conditions for countless residents in the towns where he and his staff worked.
Following his tenure at the Arctic Health Research Center, Rausch and his wife spent three years at the University of Saskatchewan and later conducted field work in China, Russia and South America.
An exceptional leader in the field, Rausch was a president of the American Society of Parasitologists and served in a number of other leadership roles for the World Health Organization, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and others.
Throughtout his career, Rausch was honored widely and received numerous awards. In 2011, he was added to the American Society of Parasitology's list of "Eminent Parasitologists" -- an elite list of just 11 people. Additionally he received honorary degrees, bestowed by the University of Saskatchewan (Doctor of Laws), the University of Alaska (Doctor of Science), and the Universität Zürich (Doktor der Veterinärmedizin). He was also honored by the Iñupiaq people of Alaska for his work in the Arctic. The Ohio State University also named him a distinguished
alumnus.
In addition to being a learned scientist of great integrity, Rausch was a life-long student of languages and literature.
See also the University of Washington's obituary for Dr. Rausch.
Image courtesy of Virginia R. Rausch.