Russell W. Schaedler | Physician, 79
Russell W. Schaedler, 79, a medical researcher, teacher and physician at Thomas Jefferson University, died May 8 of Lou Gehrig's disease at home in Center City.
Russell W. Schaedler, 79, a medical researcher, teacher and physician at Thomas Jefferson University, died May 8 of Lou Gehrig's disease at home in Center City.
Mr. Schaedler, who was born in Hatfield, always wanted to be a doctor, niece Pat Finnemore said. "He worked odd jobs to save money so he could go to medical school," she said.
After graduating from Hatfield High School in 1945, he was drafted into the Army in 1946 and released the next year. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1949 from Ursinus College and a medical degree in 1953 from Jefferson Medical College.
Dr. Schaedler worked for 15 years at Rockefeller University in New York, specializing in microbiology and infectious diseases, before returning to Jefferson as a teacher and physician.
At Jefferson, Dr. Schaedler started the microbiology department and master's degree program in clinical microbiology. He also researched infectious diseases for the Navy during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1996.
In retirement, Dr. Schaedler and his longtime partner, Larry Bear, created a miniature Longwood Gardens on their 11-acre estate in the Poconos.
In addition to his niece and partner, Dr. Schaedler is survived by several more nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 23 at Christ Church, Second Street above Market Street. Burial was private.
Memorial donations may be sent to the ALS Center at the Penn Neurological Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 330 S. Ninth St., Philadelphia 19107.