Charles H. Ewing | Doctor, 81

Charles H. Ewing, 81, formerly of Rydal and Gwynedd, a family physician who became a geriatrics specialist, died of complications of Alzheimer's disease July 14 at Meadowood, a retirement community in Worcester.

Dr. Ewing graduated from George School in Newtown. During World War II, he served in the Navy in the Pacific.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1950, and a medical degree in 1954 from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an internship at Abington Memorial Hospital and then established a family practice in Abington.

In 1974, he decided to specialize in the new field of geriatrics and for the next 22 years he was a physician at Rydal Park, a retirement community in Rydal. He retired in 1996.

He loved being with old people, and could make them laugh, said his daughter, Anne Burns. His primary goal, she said, was to make them comfortable.

Dr. Ewing was on the staff of Abington Memorial for 47 years and established the Charles Ewing Geriatric Education Fund at the hospital.

In 1985, he became founding director of the Friends Life Care at Home in Blue Bell and was active with the organization until 2003. He was past president and founder of the Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley Geriatric Society.

He was also past president of the Rotary Club of Jenkintown and past chairman and longtime board member of the Abington Friends School Committee.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to his daughter, Dr. Ewing is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mariane Buckman Ewing; a son, Charles Jr.; a sister; two brothers; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 17 at Abington Friends Meeting, 520 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown.

Donations for Alzheimer's disease research may be made to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, attention Irene I. Lukoff, development officer, Penn Medicine and Alumni Relations, 3535 Market St., Philadelphia 19104-3309.