Charles Fenger Nadler

1929 - 2024

Charles Fenger Nadler of Chicago, born November 8, 1929, died on January 10, 2024, from chronic respiratory problems. He was born in Chicago, the son of Walter Herman Nadler and Augusta Fenger Nadler, and spent his early years in Winnetka, Illinois. He graduated from New Trier High School (1947), Dartmouth College (1951), and Northwestern Medical School (1955). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Walter Fenger Nadler (Marilyn) of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Butler Waller Nadler.

Dr. Nadler is survived by his three children: Charles Fenger Nadler, Jr. (Louise), Carrie Waller Nadler Healy (Duncan), and Robert Brewster Nadler (Lisa); eight grandchildren: Augusta Fenger Nadler Williams (Edward), Duncan Hunter Mauran Nadler (Marisa). Louise King Nadler Corkery (Kevin), Charles Duncan Healy, Caroline Fenger Healy McLendon (Charles), Andrew Butler Nadler, Abigail Reilly Nadler, and Julia Waller Nadler; and five great grandchildren: Cornelia Williams, Edward Williams, Georgia Nadler, William Corkery, and Louise Corkery.

Dr. Nadler married Nancy Butler Waller on June 27, 1953. Following graduation from Northwestern, they moved to St. Louis where he served as an Intern and Resident in Medicine at Barnes Hospital from 1955-1957. They then resided in Bethesda, Maryland, as a Senior Assistant Surgeon at the U.S Public Health Service National Cancer Institute from 1957-1959. They returned to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis from 1959-1960, where he served as Resident in Medicine. He then was a Fellow in Hematology at the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver from 1960-1961.

In 1961, Dr. Nadler returned to Chicago with his family to begin what would be a 54-year career in Internal Medicine at Northwestern Medical School. His medical practice concluded with his retirement in 2015 as Associate Professor of Medicine.

From 1961-1985, he also carried out cytogenetic and biochemical research on evolution of arctic and subarctic rodents from Siberia to Hudson Bay, Canada. He was Co-Director of the U.S. - USSR Environmental Agreement Project, working with Soviet scientists to collect specimens and do laboratory work in Siberia. He visited the USSR six times, as well as trips to Alaska and Northern Canada to collect specimens, where he always was assisted by his family. Over the 25 years, he published approximately 100 scientific papers detailing his work.

Medical practice was a great joy. He considered his patients his friends, having known many throughout his 54 years of practice. His patient friendships were a great source of stimulation and joy, especially after his retirement from his research.

He was a devoted parent who included all family members in his numerous outdoor activities and interests. Those included canoe and camping trips to Canada and hunting trips to Africa, Iran, Australia, Spain, and Argentina in addition to the summer research field trips. The whole family also enjoyed outdoor sports such as cross-country skiing and scuba diving.

He spent parts of every summer since age six in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, a place that spurred his passion for the outdoors, medicine, and research.

He was a member of the Saddle and Cycle Club since 1962 and was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Mammalogists and the Central Society for Clinical Research. He also served as a Trustee of the Latin School of Chicago and was a Member of the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Committee.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to "The Field Museum, in memory of Charles Nadler." To make a gift via check, please make the check out to "Field Museum" and mail to: Field Museum 75 Remittance Drive, Suite #1093, Chicago, IL 60675-1093.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Chrysostom's Church at 1424 North Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610.