Ralph Sando, 60, ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist Ralph Scott Sando lived a charmed life with a loving family, a successful career in a city known for eye care, and a silent but consistent civic-mindedness. Dr. Sando, 60, founder of Accuvision Eye MD Caregroup in Ardmore and Center City, who also practiced in several Philadelphia hospitals, died Saturday of esophageal cancer at his home in Haverford.

Dr. Sando was born in Boulder, Colo., in 1947. He and his family moved to Merion when he was 12.

He was captain of the football team, bowman of the crew team, and recipient of so many awards at Monsignor Bonner High School that he was given a standing ovation upon graduation in 1965 at the Civic Center.

He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University in 1969, where he played football. He met Joyce Seewald on a blind date, which they joked about after he became an ophthalmologist.

The couple married in 1970 while Dr. Sando was earning a medical degree at Temple University, which he obtained in 1973.

He completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital, specializing in glaucoma care and cataract surgery.

He moved to Haverford and founded Philadelphia Ophthalmology Associates, renamed Accuvision Eye about 10 years ago. His son Ralph Jr. joined the practice.

Dr. Sando was chief of ophthalmology at Bryn Mawr Hospital and a surgeon at Wills Eye and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He belonged to many professional societies.

"The only thing Ralph loved more than his profession, patients, sports, travel and the arts is his family," said his wife. "He proudly called us 'the five best friends.' "

"My father taught me how to be a good father and husband," said son Blake. "He put his family first. He was diagnosed in May, but managed to travel to Florida to see his new granddaughter in June."

"Every little girl thinks her father is a knight in shining armor. But mine was," said daughter Holly Sando Rieck.
"He taught us the most important thing in life is family."

Dr. Sando helped his patients "with life problems as well as eye problems," said Ralph Jr. He said his father never spoke of the work he did for many causes. Dr. Sando was a member of the Philadelphia chapters of the NAACP, Catholic Charities, the Stewards of St. John Neumann, Allied Jewish Appeal, Project HOME, Salvation Army, and many other organizations.

"He loved to ski," his wife said. "When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, he bought a little condo overlooking the Delaware River in Society Hill so we could 'travel' there during my treatments instead of around the world."

In addition to his wife, two sons and daughter, Dr. Sando is survived by his parents, Francis and Nancy Sando; four grandchildren; four brothers; and four sisters.

Friends may call starting at 6 p.m. Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd., Bryn Mawr. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to Ralph S. Sando M.D. Fund at Fox Chase Cancer Center, c/o Institutional Advancement, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia 19111.