Waldemar Ager and son Trygve, at the 1929 commencement at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.  St. Olaf, renowned for its Norwegian studies, bestowed an honorary doctorate (of letters) on the elder Ager when son Trygve earned his bachelor's degree.  Ager later claimed that the "Litt. D." stood him in good stead, making up for "lack of dignity, weight, height and looks."

Trygve went on to have an interesting career in journalism, and critics see his translation of Sons of the Old Country as a skillful one.