Reginald J. Raban, 91, ophthalmologist

Reginald J. Raban, 91, of Cherry Hill, a former general practitioner who after the Korean War decided to return to medical school and became a well-known ophthalmologist in South Jersey, died of cancer Saturday, Oct. 9, at his home.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Raban put patients at ease with his quiet demeanor during cataract and other eye surgeries.

"He was calm, cooperative, and pleasant," said Agnes Berger, a surgical nurse for Dr. Raban at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in the 1960s.

Dr. Raban performed surgeries at Lourdes from 1955 to 1985 while maintaining his practice in Cherry Hill.

"He was a really excellent surgeon in cataracts and helping people see," said Dr. Eugene Principato, a friend and former colleague.

An old-school, "hands-on" physician, Dr. Raban would visit his patients in the hospital and follow up with them at home, his daughter Jane McEvoy said.

In addition to his practice and hospital work, Dr. Raban volunteered his professional services at St. Mary's Catholic Home, his daughter said.

Dr. Raban was born in Hartford, Conn., and raised in Audubon, Camden County. He graduated from Audubon High School in 1938 and then attended Friends' Central School for a year before enrolling at Ursinus College.

After graduating from Ursinus in 1943, Dr. Raban married Doris Sampler, whom he had met in high school, and enrolled at Jefferson Medical College. He graduated in 1946.

Within a year, he had established a general practice in the Fairview section of Camden. Everything was going well until he received a draft letter.

He served as a flight surgeon for the Air Force between 1953 and 1955. He was stationed mostly in Germany.

While in the Air Force, Dr. Raban decided he wanted to be an ophthalmologist and surgeon.

"It really intrigued him, the whole surgery thing and the eye," his daughter said. So he enrolled at Wills Eye Institute.

Outside of work, Dr. Raban was a voracious reader of history and enjoyed golfing. He was an early member of the Tavistock Country Club, Principato said.

In addition to his daughter, Dr. Raban is survived by son Reginald and daughters Lynn E. Palmer and Gale; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2004.

Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 18, at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., in Haddonfield. A memorial service will follow at noon. Interment will be private.