James Kehler III; was a doctor for the Eagles
James G. Kehler III, 71, of Woodbury, a former practice squad physician for the Eagles and a big-game hunter in countries such as Namibia and Zimbabwe, died of cancer Thursday, Nov. 12, at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury.
James G. Kehler III, 71, of Woodbury, a former practice squad physician for the Eagles and a big-game hunter in countries such as Namibia and Zimbabwe, died of cancer Thursday, Nov. 12, at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury.
Dr. Kehler was with the Eagles in the 1970s, a daughter, Pamela Ziegler, said.
In the same decade, she said, he was a physician for what is now the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board and a ringside doctor for boxing in Atlantic City.
In his practice in Woodbury, she said, "people would call him in the middle of the night and he would go to the hospital, or make house calls.
"He did a lot of charity work," too, she said.
Born in Baltimore, Dr. Kehler graduated from what is now Valley Forge Military Academy and College in 1962, and earned a bachelor's degree at the College of Emporia (Kan.) in 1966, a master's in neurobiology at what is now Emporia State University in 1968, and a doctorate at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972.
Dr. Kehler joined KGE Medical Group, the practice of his father, James G. Kehler Jr., in 1972 and retired from it in 2010.
He was an attending physician in internal medicine at what is now Inspira Woodbury from 1977 and, his autobiographical notes state, chairman from 1987 of the hospital's institutional review committee.
Dr. Kehler was a member of the ethics committee of the New Jersey State Osteopathic Society from 1987 to 1992, his notes state.
Dr. Kehler was a member of the National Rifle Association, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Safari Club, and the Salem County Sportsmen's Club.
Besides his daughter, he is survived by sons Grant IV and Timothy, daughter Amy, a brother, a sister, and eight grandchildren. His wife of 46 years, Patricia, died in 2014.
Visitations were set from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Budd Funeral Home, 522 Salem Ave., Woodbury, and from 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at St. Stephen's Church, 230 N. Evergreen Ave., Woodbury, before an 11 a.m. memorial service there, with interment in Eglington Cemetery.
Donations may be sent to the Inspira Foundation, 509 N. Broad St., Woodbury, N.J. 08096.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.buddfuneralhome.com.
610-313-8134@WNaedele