James Schaller, Phila. Ob/Gyn

James A. Schaller, 83, of Merion, a Philadelphia obstetrician-gynecologist for 40 years, died Saturday, Aug. 8, of pancreatic cancer at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

Dr. Schaller was the 10th of 11 children born to Frank X. and Anna M. Schaller in Lancaster. He graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School, St. Joseph's University, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Dr. Schaller enlisted for five years in the Army Medical Corps. He served three years as a general medical officer for the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe at Versailles, France. He joined the Navy Reserve and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1959.

After a residency at Misericordia Hospital, Dr. Schaller joined the staff at Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, where, over the next 20 years, he delivered more than 10,000 babies.

In 1982, he resigned as chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Nazareth to help train doctors at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Darby Borough and at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in East Falls.

When his partner retired unexpectedly in 1984, Dr. Schaller resumed his former practice at Nazareth. In 1991, a heart attack forced him to limit his efforts to office gynecology and writing.

His five self-published books of nonfiction, still in print, reflect a lifelong interest in women's rights, women's health, and the institution of marriage. He also became a novelist; his book Death by Prescription was set against Ireland's long struggle for independence from Britain.

At the time of his death, he had been working on a book critical of American medicine. He told his family he considered the book his reason for being.

In another book, Becoming the Husband Your Wife Thought She Married, he tried to help women who told him in the privacy of the examining room that their marriages were unhappy.

He wrote that men should "get in touch with buried feelings" so their wives could understand and relate to them better. He also called for loosening of the macho, independent male persona.

"Real success in marriage involves coping with day-to-day events with the motivation to 'go for it.' The right attitude in both partners can turn a marriage around, change minds, open hearts, heal families, and solve violence," he wrote.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marianne Haas Schaller; sons James, Paul, and David; daughters Maureen Donnelly, Michele Walton, and Jean; 12 grandchildren; a brother; and two sisters.

A viewing is to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at St. Helena Roman Catholic Church, 1489 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. A second viewing at the church from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 10. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.