William D. Ertag, MD. Obituary

Obituary

William D. Ertag, MD, a distinguished neurologist and visionary philanthropist, passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on October 22, 1940, in Newark, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Saul Ertag and Bertha Nussbaum.

A man of extraordinary wisdom and intellectual curiosity, Dr. Ertag was a graduate of Weequahic High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1962, followed by his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 1966. He served his country with honor as a Naval Lieutenant Commander and neurologist at St. Albans Naval Hospital before completing his neurology internship and residency at Albert Einstein Hospital.

Dr. Ertag’s professional legacy is defined by a deep-seated passion for medicine and a commitment to the next generation of physicians. He established the William D. Ertag & Eileen Ertag Research Award at Johns Hopkins and founded the Sunrise Academy in Naples to support children with learning disabilities. A founding member of Temple Shalom in Naples, he was a pillar of his community whose dedication to his patients was surpassed only by his unshakable devotion to his family.

In 1969, Bill began a 56-year journey of marriage with his loving wife,

Eileen. The adored father of Seth Ertag and Kimberly Ertag Varadarajan, he also remained the cherished grandfather of Victor and Shreya. His memory is further honored by his beloved sister, Ellen Ertag Weinstock. Although preceded in death by his nephew Steven Weinstock, he is survived by a close family, including nieces Jill Cohen, Cheryl Garfinkel, and Melissa Foor, and nephews Jason and Sloan Eddleston.

An avid painter and lifelong learner, he found joy in the strategy of a poker game and the fortunes of the New York Yankees and Giants.

Memorial Contributions

Memorial contributions in memory may be made to:

National Fragile X Foundation

American Heart Association

Riverview School

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