University honors Karrer family

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

LINCOLN -- Twenty-nine members from five generations of a Nebraska family were recognized in May at the "All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement" hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Descendants of Dr. Frederick William Karrer were honored at the celebration for attending or graduating from UNL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center since 1904, when Dr. Karrer was a member of the medical center's first graduating class.

Among Dr. Karrer's descendants recognized by the University was his first son, Frederick Merrill Karrer MD, who served on McCook's City Council from 1956 until 1965 and as mayor from 1958 until 1965.

Dr. F. Merrill Karrer attended UNL from 1924 to 1925 and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1927. He served as president of the medical fraternity, Phi Rho Sigma, and graduated from the medical college in 1929.

Dr. F. Merrill Karrer's son, Frederick William Karrer MD, attended UNL from 1948 until 1952 and graduated from UNMC in 1956. He was clinical professor of surgery at UNMC from 1988 until 1997.

Max Raymond Karrer, the second son of Dr. F. W. Karrer, is credited with starting the Electric Hose and Rubber plant in McCook. He graduated from UNL in 1928 with a chemistry degree, and was the chief executive officer of Electric Hose and Rubber Company.

Since 1904, seven descendants of Dr. Frederick William Karrer have graduated from the medical school, while others have earned degrees in chemistry, engineering, architecture, agriculture, business, interior design and dentistry. Many have received University recognition for superior scholarship.

The family includes two members of the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor, two outstanding college alumni award winners and three members of the Nebraska Alumni Association's Cather Circle.

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