Dr. William Scher

SCARSDALE, New York - Dr. William Scher, 84, of Scarsdale, New York, died Jan. 19, 2018, at home.

Born Feb.23, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late William and Janet Lewis Scher. He met his wife, Barbara Messina Scher, in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1955, and they married in New York City in 1958.

Before earning his M.D. from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1961, he had graduated from Yale University with both bachelor's and master's of science in microbiology. Dr. Scher worked for Mount Sinai School of Medicine as an Associate Research Professor from 1968 until his retirement in 1993. Specializing in cellular differentiation and cancer research, he was credited as an author on 114 research publications. His most notable paper, which greatly influenced scientific understanding of cell manipulation, was one of the most-cited publications between 1961 and 1982. He continued research on a voluntary basis for many years in retirement.

He loved gardening, bird-watching, songwriting, and playing tennis and bridge. He also volunteered for the Greenburgh Town Democratic Committee and produced many works of found object art. His art work was exhibited at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, New York.

He leaves his wife of 59 years; his daughter Gina (Dan Goodin) Scher of San Francisco, California; his son William A. (Gina-Louise Sciarra) Scher of Northampton; his brother Robert M. Scher of San Rafael, California; his nephew Tim (Grace) Palmer of London, England; three grandchildren, Gage, Alazne and Simone; two grandnephews, James and Thomas, and his grandniece Elizabeth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation at 4573 South Broad St., Suite 150 Yardville, NJ 08620.