Dr. Charles M. Norris, 93

Charles M. Norris, 93, former head of the department of bronchoesophagology and laryngology and the Chevalier Jackson-Norris Clinic, both at Temple University Hospital, died of prostate cancer Aug. 21 at Cathedral Village in Roxborough. He was a longtime resident of Chestnut Hill.

Dr. Norris earned his medical degree from Temple in 1939 and worked at that hospital for nearly a half-century, devoting his career to devising surgical procedures and life-saving devices in laryngology and bronchoesophagology.

"My father was a pioneer in the development of less-radical surgery of diseases of the larynx, which helped avoid total loss of the voice," said son Charles Norris Jr., a doctor with the same specialty. "Patients came to Temple from all over the world to be treated by him."

Dr. Norris was trained in the field of peroral endoscopy by the "father of laryngology," Chevalier Jackson, who founded the clinic at Temple in 1930. It was later renamed the Chevalier Jackson-Norris Clinic.

More than 2,000 foreign objects swallowed or inhaled by patients treated at the clinic make up an odd collection in the Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. These objects - often removed by handcrafted instruments without surgery - included a toy battleship, hat pins, rings, plastic bullets, false teeth, poker chips and an open safety pin.

"The only item Charlie removed which he gave back to a patient was an engagement ring," said his wife of 60 years, Sallie Harwood Norris. "He kept or threw out the rest."

Born in New Milford, Pa., in 1915, the eldest of five children, Dr. Norris graduated first in his high school class of 10 when he was 15. He also graduated first in his class at Pennsylvania State University, with a bachelor's degree in pre-med in 1935.

"My father maintained the simplicity of small-town rural life," said son Stephen. "His only personal indulgence was golf."

A former president of the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery and other national medical organizations, Dr. Norris trained doctors from around the globe in bronchoesophagology at the Jackson-Norris Clinic.

Dr. Norris and his wife were known for throwing themed costume parties in their Chestnut Hill stone home. They had a Japanese party, a Mafia party, a hippie party and a Loch Ness Monster party.

After he retired in 1985, Dr. Norris put his skills of technical and medical language to good use narrating books for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in Bryn Mawr. He and his wife took several adventurous barge trips on the waterways and canals of France, Ireland and Greece.

In addition to his wife and two sons, Dr. Norris is survived by four grandchildren; three brothers; and a sister.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. next Saturday at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill. Donations may be sent to the church at 8000 St. Martins Lane, Philadelphia 19118.