Esther Radinger
Esther Radinger, who for 36 years served as assistant director of the U’s Honors Program, died of natural causes on July 8 at the age of 77.
“When students remember the honors program, they remember Esther Radinger,” said Rick Rieke, a U communication professor.
During her tenure, she used her unparalleled mentoring abilities to guide thousands of honors students and found ways to raise money to support their education.
Radinger retired from her position in 2004, going on to play a major role in the Opera Guild, The Symphony Guild and the Metropolitan Opera Company Tryouts, all of which are run by her sister-in-law, Carol Radinger.
A grand celebration of Radinger’s life was held July 14 to celebrate the indelible imprint she left on the honors program.
Family, faculty, administrators and alumni gathered together to recall “nothing but the fondest of memories,” said Richard Cummings, a former director of the honors program.
Ned Alger
Ned Alger, a former U associate athletic director and an assistant football coach, died June 15 from head trauma complications.
Alger, 80, fell down a staircase while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He was transported to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where he died. He is survived by his wife Andrea Alger, and their three daughters.
The U alumnus served as the school’s assistant football coach from 1957 to 1966. Under his purview, the Utes went 9-2 and beat West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl in 1964.
He was promoted to associate athletic director in 1972 and held that position until he retired in 1993.