Milton N. Kitei, 94, a retired family physician

Milton N. Kitei, 94, a retired family physician, died Friday, May 17, of heart failure at his home in Lafayette Hill.

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Kitei graduated from Central High School, where he won oratory contests. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph's College, now university, and his medical degree in 1944 from Jefferson Medical College.

After an internship at Albert Einstein Medical Center and a stint in the Navy as a first lieutenant, Dr. Kitei began his 64-year-long medical career, most of it affiliated with Pennsylvania Hospital.

Dr. Kitei first practiced in South Philadelphia with his father-in-law, Dr. Robert Rubin, then set up on his own, and later worked with Dr. Maria Mazzotti.

Dr. Kitei's daughter, Mindy, recalled that he was so dedicated to his patients, he "agonized over raising his office rates from $2 to $3 in the 1960s. And that was not a co-pay. It was the entire fee."

He treated many of his needy patients free and made house calls long after colleagues stopped that service.

"He never wanted to retire, because he loved his work, his staff, and his patients," his daughter said.

Although he sold his practice to Pennsylvania Hospital in 1994, he continued to work until a month shy of his 90th birthday, when he finally retired.

He was married for 48 years to Janice Rubin Kitei, until her death in 1998. They enjoyed the Jersey Shore, London, and her gourmet cooking.

Besides his daughter, Dr. Kitei is survived by his sons, William and Robert; and four grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Levine's Funeral Home, 4737 Street Rd., Trevose, followed by interment at Roosevelt Cemetery.