Dr. Nicholas William Lerche passed away at home on the morning of March 20, 2012. He was 62. Nicholas was born Dec. 31, 1949, in Oakland, to Effie Gay and William Carl Lerche. Nick graduated magna cum laude from San Francisco State University in 1971 with a double major in zoology and anthropology. He earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, and then went on to get a master's of preventive veterinary medicine, specializing in epidemiology.

After veterinary school, Nicholas completed a two-year service as an epidemiologic intelligence officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before returning to Davis to work at the California National Primate Research Center. He was a professor in the department of medicine and epidemiology in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the associate director of the California National Primate Research Center. Nicholas was a dedicated scientist and teacher who trained students and veterinarians from around the world, and was recognized internationally as an expert in the study of primate diseases. His intelligence, patience and generosity made him a favorite of his students, and resulted in an international circle of friends who will miss him tremendously.

His research took him around the world with trips to Liberia, Panama, France, Indonesia, Japan and China. His expertise made him a valued consultant to the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and numerous universities and research institutes around the world. His personal heroes were Charles Darwin and Dr. Ed Ricketts. Like them, Nick was fascinated by the natural world and the relationship between all living things. His love of nature drove him to contribute to conservation efforts to save wildlife populations around the world including mountain gorillas, howler monkeys and the rare Sulawesi macaque.

In addition to his professional achievements, Nicholas was a loving husband, son, brother and a friend to all who met him. He enjoyed his menagerie of pets, bird watching, hiking and sharing stories with friends over a cold beer. He found relaxation in bonsai, fishing and the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Dieter; his sister and her husband, Gretchen and Randy Johnson; and his nephew and his wife, David and Courtney Johnson.

His family and friends would like to continue Nick's legacy of mentorship and teaching by establishing a scholarship in the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine graduate program in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. If you would like to help with this tribute to Nicholas, please send contributions to: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 1167, Davis, CA 95617, Attn.: Lerche scholarship fund. Checks can be made payable to the UC Davis Foundation.