Herman Y. Carr

Inventor of MRI

Herman Yaggi Carr, PhD, a noted American physicist, and the inventor and early pioneer of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)died peacefully Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at his residence at Arbor Glen Retirement Home, Bridgewater, NJ,

He was born November 28, 1924, in Alliance, OH, the son of Robert
Herman and Jeannette Yaggi Carr. He was the devoted husband of Hilda Hagen Kinney, who preceded him in death August 29, 1986.

Dr. Carr was an Alliance High School (Alliance, OH) graduate in January 1943 where later was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He served in the Army as a Sergeant in the 12th Weather Squadron Air Corps during WW II in Italy. He received a Harvard National Scholarship from Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude in 1948 and also earned his Masters degree in 1949 and a PhD in Physics in 1953, from Harvard University. His doctorate thesis, published in 1952 described the first techniques for using gradients in the magnetic fields and is the first example of magnetic resonance imaging.

Dr. Carr was a member of the faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, where he continued his pioneering research providing groundwork for present-day MRI. Professor Carr was known as a fine teacher and received a Guggenheim Fellowship where he participated in a cooperative research program at Cornell University, Oxford University in England and at the University of Amsterdam the Netherlands.

In addition to numerous scientific publications Dr. Carr co-authored the introductory textbook Physics From the Ground Up published in 1971. In 2001 an anonymous donation created two Herman Y. Carr Scholarships in Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University. Dr. Carr became Professor Emeritus in 1987 and was actively involved in the area of MRI studies up until his death.

As a professed pacifist he served on the National General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church where he was a representative to Russia during glasnost promoting Christianity, justice and world peace. He was recognized and honored in 1995 with the Francis Asbury Award for fostering United Methodist Ministries in Higher Education. He was a very active member of the United Methodist Church of New Brunswick where he served many capacities as a church layman. His special interest was focused on the church's Urban Outreach to area public housing and men's shelters, world peace and social justice.

He is survived by daughter a Amanda Carr Sozer of Alexandria, VA, a son Robert H (Nancy) Carr of Amsterdam, NY, one sister Mrs. David (Mary Beth) McFarland, Copeland Oaks, Sebring, OH, formerly of Warren, OH and three grandchildren: Brenden Sozer a student at the College of William & Mary, and Aubrey Sozer a student at Virginia Tech University, and Robert W. Carr, Amsterdam, NY, and step-son John Kinney step-son of Wachung, New Jersey, Niece Mrs. William (Martha) Dooley, of Boston, MA, Nephews Thomas C. (Holly) McFarland Columbus, OH, and James D. McFarland. Warren, OH

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the United Methodist Church of New Brunswick, 323 George Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM, The Rev. Dr. Sydney S. Sadio will officiate. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Material contributions may be made to Arbor Glen, 100 Monroe St # 1, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 www.arborglen.org or the Urban Outreach of the United Methodist Church, 323 George Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 www.gbgm-mc.org/umcnewbrunswick Services have been entrusted to the Bruce C. Van Arsdale Funeral Home, Somerville NJ, www.brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome.com and the McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co. Warren Ohio You may view and send email condolences to www.mcfarlandfuneral.com .