Norbert L. Silpe, 87, longtime school physician
Dr. Norbert L. Silpe, 87, of Voorhees, a physician for the Camden city public schools from 1956 through 1999, died of heart failure Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Virtua Marlton Hospital.
Dr. Norbert L. Silpe, 87, of Voorhees, a physician for the Camden city public schools from 1956 through 1999, died of heart failure Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Virtua Marlton Hospital.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, Dr. Silpe earned a bachelor's at Temple University in 1951 and graduated in 1955 from what is now Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Silpe maintained a private medical practice in Maple Shade through the same period in which he worked with the Camden City School District, a son, Richard, said.
"He was very active in seeing the athletes," his son said. "He would do all their physicals, attend their games, mostly football."
And, he said, Dr. Silpe "did lots of house calls, for kids who needed medical treatments."
His son noted that Dr. Silpe "did play football in high school," but its name was lost to memory. "He was a running back."
Not only was Dr. Silpe "an avid softball player in his adult life," his son said, but "he was a runner. He jogged over 10 miles at a time, on the weekends."
George Gilman, co-owner of a Philadelphia metals recycling firm, said he and Dr. Silpe had been "dear friends since 1954."
As neighbors, the Gilman and Silpe children "drew us together." His son Steven and daughter Hilary "looked at Norbert as family," Gilman said.
Besides his three sons, Dr. Silpe is survived by four grandchildren, and his former wife, Joan Silpe.
Graveside services are set for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct 16, at Crescent Memorial Park, 7349 Westfield Ave., Pennsauken.
Donations may be sent to Jewish Family and Children's Service at www.jfcssnj.org.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at plattmemorial@comcast.net.
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