Dr. John E. Plager

PLAGER - Dr. John E. Age 81, of Colebrook, Connecticut and Pompano Beach, Florida, formerly of Williamsville, New York, died July 10, 2008 secondary to injuries incurred earlier that day while working on his farm in Colebrook. Born March 2, 1927 in the Bronx, New York, son of Morris and Helen Plager, he attended local schools, graduating from Dewitt Clinton High School in 1942. He attended Cornell University, graduating at age 19 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. During WWII, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, working first as a riflery instructor and later as a biochemist within the Division of Chemical Warfare. Dr. Plager earned his Master of Science degree in Physiology at the Worcester Foundation, working under Dr. Gregory Pincus in the lab whose work later led to the development of the first oral contraceptives. Following this he attended the University of Utah, where he received his doctoral degree in Biochemistry. Working under Dr. Leo Samuels, he helped to delineate some of the original descriptions of pathways in adrenal steroid synthesis. While at Utah, he also earned his Doctor of Medicine degree, graduating as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in 1957. At the urging of Dr. Max Wintrobe, then Chief of Medicine, he did his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, where he completed both his residency and a fellowship in Endocrinology. Dr. Plager joined the staff of the Buffalo Medical Foundation in 1961, marking the beginning of more than 30 years of clinical practice in Buffalo. He later took a position at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, at that time the worlds 2nd largest cancer research institute, serving as Associate Chief of Medicine. He also was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He spoke at numerous conferences and meetings, and served on various national and international medical boards, including at one time chairing the grants committee for the American Cancer Society. A man of many interests and skills, he was a voracious reader, a student of history, science, politics, business and the arts. His passion for education and learning never diminished. His enjoyment of theater and music brought him to venues as varied as Broadway and the Bottom Line, to Tanglewood and La Scala, sampling everything from Charlie Parker to Menuhin, and Leadbelly to Pavorotti. A longtime patron of the arts, Dr. Plager supported them in every locale he resided, enjoying everything from the largest orchestras to the smallest local youth symphonies. In Buffalo, he was a longtime member of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, the Studio Arena, and numerous other area cultural institutions. To the time of his death he remained an avid enthusiast of any and all household chores, and prided himself on his knowledge and mastery of skills ranging from plumbing and carpentry to upholstery, cooking and gardening. Dedicated above all to his family, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Louise Plager, his daughter Jan Louise, his sons Andrew John and Michael David, their wives Lori and Jane, his grandchildren Jessica, Hanna, Sara, Matthew, and Benjamin, and other dear relatives and friends. At his request, his remains were interred at his farm in a small private ceremony. Donations may be made to the Bement School, Special Library Fund, Deerfield, Massachusetts, 01342. MONTANO-SHEA FUNERAL HOME, 922 Main Street, Winsted had care of the arrangements. Visit an online guestbook at Montano-Shea.com.