Bernhard Franz Dietzschold was an outstanding German-American scientist, whose work centered upon both fundamental research in viral pathogenesis and vaccine immunogenicity, as well as contributions to modern biologics development, making him a giant in the rabies field. His investigations at the Philadelphia-based Wistar Institute and Thomas Jefferson University featured prominently with over 200 peer-reviewed co-authored seminal publications in high impact academic journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Virology, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, among many others. In addition, he served as a grant reviewer with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and as an expert panel member for the World Health Organization and the CDC advising on public health and vaccine-related issues. The significance of his basic and applied insights led the way to major discoveries in rabies and progress related to recombinant vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Beyond achievements in science, his devoted sense of family, and personal interests in gardening, music, art, philosophy, and love of nature, remain in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and colleagues on a global level.