Richard R. Block, 69, city lawyer

Richard R. Block, 69, of Center City, a lawyer, assistant district attorney, politician, and public servant known for his zest for life, died Monday of kidney failure at St. Agnes Medical Center.

Mr. Block was a common sight on South Street, wearing a Phillies cap and a rock-and-roll T-shirt, driving a sporty convertible with music blaring, on his way to a club to hear the latest band in town.

Raised in West Oak Lane, Mr. Block graduated in 1955 from Central High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1959 from Dickinson College and a law degree in 1962 from the University of Pennsylvania.

He married Joanne Kramer in 1962, and the couple had a son before divorcing in 1973.

Mr. Block was a partner in the firm of Meltzer & Schiffrin and then Beitch & Block, where he specialized in family law. In 1990, he was named director of community relations for the District Attorney's Office.

"My father was proud of his accomplishments as an assistant district attorney and for being appointed by Gov. Rendell to the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board," said his son, Jeffrey. Mr. Block held that position until his death.

The governor also appointed Mr. Block as the legal profession's representative on the Pennsylvania Commission on Child Support. He was named to the state Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee, and was an arbitrator in the state bar's Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program.

Active in Republican politics, Mr. Block unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1968 and for Common Pleas Court judge in 1971. He was Election Day chairman for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) and campaign chairman for Joan Specter's reelection to City Council in 1994.

Mr. Block was involved with civic causes that included Big Brothers of America, Jewish Family Service, and the Jewish American Congress, of which was a vice president.

"Rich loved to cook. Every Christmas he proudly brought a dish he made," said longtime friend Rose Wellens. "It always tasted awful, and my children, who considered him their grandfather, did not hesitate to tell him. But that didn't stop him from trying again the next year. He was energetic, effervescent, and lit up a room."

Said his son: "My dad loved the Phillies and fillies - he even owned a couple of racehorses."

Mr. Block is survived by his son and his former wife.

A life celebration will be at 5 p.m. today at the Fuel House, 249 Arch St. Donations may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33d St., New York, N.Y. 10016.