Erich A. Everts- Suarez Sr., 89, pathologist

Erich A. Everts-Suarez Sr., 89, of Cinnaminson, who retired in 1991 as chief of pathology at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday, Aug. 2, at home.

Born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Dr. Everts studied at the University of Puerto Rico and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1950 with the highest marks.

He served as an Army physician at the former Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington from 1957 to 1959.

Dr. Everts returned to the Philadelphia region to serve as chief of pathology at St. Mary Hospital when it was in Fishtown and then established the pathology department when it opened in Langhorne.

Joseph Liu worked with Dr. Everts in both St. Mary's locations.

"He was the laboratory director and I was the clinical chemist," Liu said.

"Dr. Everts was very friendly, not a typical boss," he said, but "one of the team and very easy to work with."

"He trusted you and respected you," Liu said, "and let you make your own decisions."

Dr. Everts was a clinical associate professor of pathology and cell biology at Jefferson from the 1950s until his 1991 retirement, son-in-law Robert Noll said.

After retiring, Dr. Everts opened the pathology department at Mennonite General Hospital in his hometown of Aibonito, where he volunteered from 1992 to 1996.

"Born to meager circumstances," Noll wrote in an appreciation, Dr. Everts "used his intellect, hard work, and educational opportunities to improve his station in life."

To recognize that a scholarship helped fund his medical education, he set up one at Jefferson for students of Puerto Rican heritage.

Dr. Everts is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gilda; son Erich A. Everts Jr.; daughters Deborah Hoellein and Leslie Everts; and five grandchildren. All three of his children are doctors.

Life celebrations were set from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Snover/Givnish Funeral Home, 1200 Route 130 N., Cinnaminson, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Branch Pike and Pomona Road, Cinnaminson, before an 11 a.m. memorial Mass at the church.

Donations may be sent to the Erich A. Everts M.D. Scholarship at www.advancement.jefferson.edu/memorialgiving..

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snovergivnish.com.

610-313-8134@WNaedele