Stanley H. LORBER M.D.

LORBER, MD, Stanley H.

Stanley H. Lorber, MD, renowned physician-scientist, visionary medical educator- administrator, and admired civic leader, peacefully died in his sleep November 24, 2014, a day after his 97th birthday. The youngest of the four children of Martha and Samuel Lorber of Woodhaven (Queens), New York, he moved to Philadelphia with his family as a child. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania he was an outstanding scholar-athlete, excelling in both football and lacrosse, and was named to the honorable mention All American football team. He received his MD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and served as a flight surgeon during World War II in the European theater with the rank of Captain in the US Army. He remained devoted to Penn throughout his life and was a major fundraiser for the School of Medicine. For his efforts Penn awarded him the Penn Alumni Service Award for "generous, loyal, and energetic commitment to the University." Dr. Lorber was a faculty member at Temple University School of Medicine for 43 years, serving as Professor of Medicine and, for 25 years, the Chief of the Gastroenterology Section, a Section that, thanks to his visionary leadership, achieved national esteem. His own research produced important contributions to the understanding of gastrointestinal physiology, and he authored more than 140 scientific articles and numerous textbook chapters and presented before the 1970 Nobel Symposium in Stockholm. He consulted for the US Navy, Veterans' Administration, and the FDA. After his retirement, Temple created the Stanley H. Lorber Chair in Medicine in his honor. A highly respected clinician, he was revered by his patients whom he always treated with respect, patience, and warmly delivered care. In the late 1950s, he convinced the owner of the Philadelphia Warriors professional basketball team (later the 76rs) that a professional basketball team should have a team physician. Dr. Lorber became the first team doctor in the National Basketball Association, a position he held for 25 years, and one that brought him two NBA championship rings. A number of players, including Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, and Julius Erving became close, life-long friends and were frequent guests in his home. One of his greatest pleasures came from taking young medical students to dinner and then to a 76rs game. With his beloved wife, Selma, Stanley raised three children, Susan (deceased), Betty, and Jeff. He was an adoring and supportive father and later grandfather and great-grandfather. After Selma's death in 1983, Stanley was fortunate to find another love and life partner in his dear wife Dorothea. Upon his retirement from Temple, Stan and Dorothea moved to Florida where they enjoyed an active social life and Stan was able to indulge his never-ending passion for golf on an almost daily basis well into his mid-90s. He was President of the Banyan Golf Club for four years and was honorary director of the Palm Beach Civic Association. In a similar fashion, and throughout his long life, he shared his time and wisdom with many boards, educational institutions, and civic organizations. In his words, "I have had a very fortunate life. Where I can contribute, I try to do so." Stanley Lorber was a man of powerful intellect, personal charm, along with uncommon generosity, loyalty, and kindness. He is survived by his wife Dorothea, his daughter Betty and son Jeff, Dorothea's daughter Kathleen, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He led a long, productive, and useful life, and leaves behind a loving family and many friends.

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