Dr. Sarle H. Cohen, 78, geriatric specialist

Sarle H. Cohen, 78, of Wynnewood, a retired internist and geriatrician, died of complications from dementia May 8 at home.

Dr. Cohen shared an internal medicine practice in Northeast Philadelphia for more than 20 years and later had an office in Wynnefield Heights. He had a rapport with older people, his daughter Andrea said, and in 1980 he became the first medical director at Martin's Run, a retirement community in Media.

In 1988, when the American Board of Internal Medicine offered a certification subspecialty in geriatric medicine, he aced the five-hour exam, said his wife, Barbara Mitnick Cohen. He complained, though, she said, that sitting for so long made him feel geriatric.

Dr. Cohen retired in 1998 as medical director of the life-care facility at Logan Square. Diagnosis intrigued him, his daughter said, and he was interested in the assessment of the mental and social needs of his patients as well as their physical condition.

He was past president of the board of the Jewish Employment and Vocational Service and was former chairman of the Hassel Foundation, which provides support for medical and educational purposes.

A native of Reading, Dr. Cohen graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. He earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He interned at Graduate Hospital and completed residencies in pathology at Boston City Hospital and in internal medicine at Philadelphia General Hospital. From 1957 to 1959 he served in the Navy and directed the laboratory at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, N.H.

He and his wife met at a dance party and married in 1963. He enjoyed golf, loved sports cars, and always made time for his family, their daughter said.

Besides his wife and daughter, Dr. Cohen is survived by daughters Elizabeth and Ellen and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Monday at Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood.