R.A. Weinberg, physician and photographer

Richard A. Weinberg, 80, of Upper Providence, a dermatologist who practiced in Delaware County for more than 40 years and had a passion for photography, died Sunday, Feb. 3, of cancer at his home.

Dr. Weinberg, who opened a medical office on Sproul Road in Springfield in 1964, incorporated his love of photography in his practice. The walls of his waiting room were filled with his photographs.

Specializing in nature photography, Dr. Weinberg enjoyed capturing the beauty of the outdoors and often spent hours taking photos at Tyler Arboretum in Media and Ridley Creek State Park in Upper Providence.

He was given a camera at an early age. That gift turned into a lifelong passion for photography, said his wife, Eleanor.

"He just enjoyed composing artistic photographs," his wife said. "He did that for many, many years."

She said the photographs in his office captured his patients' interest and sparked conversations.

"He often said the photographs were an excellent icebreaker in the office, because many new patients would walk into the office and comment on a picture, and that would start a little conversation before the medical issues were brought up," she said.

Richard Allen Weinberg was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1954, he received a bachelor of science degree at Brooklyn College.

That year, he married Eleanor Vogel, who had been his sweetheart at summer camp in the Catskills.

He attended medical school at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1958. He served his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital.

Dr. Weinberg was a captain in the Air Force. He was stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan, where he was a general medical officer from 1959 to 1961.

He served his residency in dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston from 1961 to 1962 and at the University of Pennsylvania from 1962 to 1964. Dr. Weinberg started his practice in Springfield in the spring of 1964. He retired in 2005.

In addition to photography, Dr. Weinberg did a small amount of oil painting. He also enjoyed writing. He chronicled his early life in a collection of essays, which are cherished by his family and friends.

Dr. Weinberg was a skilled woodworker who built many pieces of furniture for his home.

He was a devoted fan of the Phillies and Eagles.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Weinberg is survived by a son, Mark; daughters Carolyn Clarick and Gwen; four grandchildren; and a brother.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Mount Sharon Cemetery, 502 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield.