Peter J.F. Rager

RAGER Peter J.F., 84, passed away on Dec. 19, 2008 after a long struggle with heart disease. He was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1924 to Frederick Anthony Rager and Olga Leopold Seidel. In 1938 his parents and his only brother, Frederick Rager (predeceased), left Vienna separately due to their work for the Republic of Austria and that government's impending demise. Peter went on to boarding school in England until 1940. He then travelled to the U.S. to attend the Mount Herman School for Boys, in Massachusetts. In 1941 he met Marybeth Bookhout who was attending the sister school Northfield School for Girls, on a blind date. They were married in 1944 and remained married throughout their lives.Peter served in the US Army in WWII in Europe, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, and again during the Korean conflict.Peter eventually began working for US Lines in 1957, where he was a purser on the S.S. United States from its maiden to its final voyage. Peter and Mary settled in Westwood, NJ, where they raised three children; Peter Bookhout Rager (pre-deceased), Elizabeth Campbell Rager, professionally known as Libby Rager, and Robert Thomas Rager.Peter is survived by his wife, Marybeth, and their son Rob, both of Westwood; and his daughter, Libby; her husband, James Dickerman; and his grand-daughter, Lucy Dickerman, who all live in Manhattan. Services were private.