Dr. Norman M. Wall

September 3, 2013

Dr. Norman M. Wall, longtime medical director of the former Good Samaritan hospital and a prominent cardiologist whose reputation extended nationally, was laid to rest Tuesday at the Kehillat Israel cemetery in Shenandoah. He died at his home, Heathrow, Fla., on Sept. 3 at the age of 99.

He remained active and vibrant until his last day, when he passed away while swimming in his pool. In remembrance, the Orlando Sentinel published, "Norman Wall: The 99 Year Old Man who Never Got Old," an article based on his prodigious reading, activity and continued interest in medical education.

Norman grew up in Girardville, where his parents, Russian-Jewish immigrants, operated a dry goods store.

He attended the University of Pennsylvania and its medical school on scholarships in the 1930s and later trained at the prestigious Leahy Clinic, Boston, and Montefiore Medical Center, Pittsburgh.

During World War II he served as a medical officer with the Army, stationed in the Middle East and North Africa, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. In the service, he helped to establish field hospitals. One of them, the 29th Station Hospital in Palestine, later became the largest health and research facility in Israel, the Sheba Hospital at Tel Hashomer.

He returned to Schuylkill County in the 1950s to become medical director of the Good Samaritan Hospital, now the Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street. He is widely credited with transforming the hospital into a preeminent medical center in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"As Yankee Stadium is regarded as the house that Babe Ruth built, then this is the hospital that Norman Wall built," said Frank Schoeneman, Vice Chairman of the Schuylkill Medical Center at a memorial service held Tuesday at the hospital auditorium named in Dr. Wall's honor. Also participating in the memorial service were former colleagues, prominent physicians and medical educators, civic leaders, friends, Jewish community leaders, and family.

Dr. Wall recruited physicians from the United States and around the world to join the staff of the hospital. He was regarded as an outstanding clinician and remarkable diagnostician.

A passionate educator, he trained many students with whom he remained close, some of them who would become leaders in their medical fields.

A former president of the Pennsylvania Heart Association and Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Wall published many articles in leading medical journals based on his clinical observations. He also wrote a book, "Living Longer, Living Stronger". In May of this year, a joint fellowship was established in his name by Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center, Israel, and Medstar-George Washington University, Washington, enabling cardiologists from Israel to train in the United States.

Along with medicine, Dr. Wall was passionate about his Jewish faith and social justice. He was active in the Jewish community of Pottsville and a member of the Oheb Zedek Synagogue.

A strong advocate against prejudice and discrimination, he became involved with the Anti-Defamation League since the 1960s, later to become the Chairman of the ADL's Pennsylvania Board and a member of the ADL National Commission. On his birthday last Feb. 9, and the ADL's 100th Anniversary, he was presented with the ADL Centennial Champion Award, an award given to select individuals for their contribution to ADL and its causes over the last century.

In recent years he also received awards from the Maimonides Society for his medical contributions and the "Eight Over Eighty" by the Kinneret Foundation, both in Orlando, Fla.

Dr. Wall is survived by his wife, Faye, Heathrow, Fla.; his sons, Jay, Israel, and Harry, New York; his daughter, Sharon, Washington, D.C.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. His former wife, Naomi, lives in Pottsville.

The family suggests those wishing to honor Dr. Wall make contributions to the Norman M. Wall M.D. Fellowship Fund, c/o the Congregation of Reform Judaism, 928 Malone Drive, Orlando, FL 32810. The Fund will enable a physician exchange program between the U.S. and Israel. The family will receive condolence visitors from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Lesley Dubowitz, 2526 Mahantongo St., Pottsville.

For more information about Dr. Wall and his life, see the following websites: http://vimeo.com/24024437, http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Orlando-Magazine/January-2011/LunchWith-Norm/. and http://republicanherald.com/news/girardville-native-dr-norman-wall-dies-at-99-1.1547716.