Arthur H. Baron | Pharmacy owner, 84

Arthur Howard Baron, 84, owner of the former Leedom & Wissler Pharmacy in Germantown, died of myelodysplasia Monday at Rydal Park's rehabilitation center. He was a longtime resident of Wyndmoor.

Born in Logan in 1923, Mr. Baron graduated from Central High School in 1941. The next year, Mr. Baron joined the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific on the hospital ship USS Sanctuary. After World War II, Mr. Baron earned a bachelor's degree from Ursinus College, where he played varsity baseball and basketball.

"My father was scouted by professional baseball teams, but he was too old by that time," said daughter Jill Hutchinson. "That was a disappointment to him."

After working at various jobs, Mr. Baron bought Leedom & Wissler Pharmacy in 1968. It was situated in a three-story red brick building, a historic landmark, at Chelten and Pulaski Avenues.

"Art treated customers with a personal touch," said his wife of 50 years, Barbee Wolff Baron. "[People] such as Arlen Specter and Mrs. Margaret Kelly, the mother of Princess Grace, were among his clients. Art was a gentleman and a gentle man."

Mr. Baron sold the pharmacy in 1999.

Mr. Baron had a keen interest in archaeology and volunteered at the University of Pennsylvania for several years.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Baron is survived by another daughter, Gigi Andryszewski; two grandsons; and a sister.

A celebration of life will be private. Donations may be made to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation, Box 353, Crosswicks, N.J. 08515.