Chester A. Alper M.D.

Chester A. Alper, M.D. Physician Scientist of Brookline passed away on July 20th, 2024. Chester was the son of Emma Spiro (née Axelrod) and Jacob J. Alper, devoted husband of artist Natalie Alper for sixty two years, father of son Jon Alper and wife Kirsten Alper, and close friend of longtime collaborator Charles Larsen, PhD.

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1931, Chester, was a summa cum laude graduate of Harvard University (’52), a cum laude graduate of Harvard Medical School (’56), and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy (’57-’59). A career Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School since 1975, Chester was a passionate practitioner of science and pioneer in the study of the human complement system, a part of the innate immune system, and human genetics associated with immune response and autoimmune diseases. Chester led Harvard’s Blood Grouping Laboratory as Scientific Director beginning in 1971 and continued in that role through a merger with the Center For Blood Research, until 1994.

A prolific scientist and writer, Chester is the author or co-author of more than three hundred research papers. He completed his professional career in his role as Senior Investigator, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston with his pioneering research into the genetics of Type 1 diabetes and the genomics of the human major histocompatibility complex, work that continued until mere days before his passing.

Chester’s depth and breadth of curiosity imbued every aspect of his life. Early in his career, he hand-built power supplies and other tools necessary to complete his research manually. A fluent speaker of German, Swedish and an autodidact of written Chinese, Chester also was a remarkably adept sight-reading player of the Recorder. During his undergraduate years, he enjoyed cartooning for the Harvard Lampoon.

The curiosity, integrity and occasionally mischievous humor Chester brought to his work and life defined his career and extended into deep appreciation of all aspects of science, art and life around him. His passion and investment in the essential human need for discovery inspired others and made him adored by so many who knew him.

Chester is profoundly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and former students.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Boston Children's Hospital, in memory of Chester. Contributions can be made at bostonchildrens.org/giveinmemory. Or mail checks, payable to Boston Children's Hospital, to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215 5301. Please include the honoree’s name in the memo line: http://giving.childrenshospital.org/ways-to-give/honor-memorial-giving/index.html