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Dr. Robert M. Swenson, a nationally recognized authority on epidemics, pandemics and plagues and a Mt. Airy resident for 35 years, died March 31 of pneumonia at the age of 84.

Long-time Mt. Airy doctor/professor/actor dies at 84

Jean MacBryde, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, met Bob Swenson on a blind date when he was a freshman at Washington University School of Medicine. “It was a terrible blind … more

by Len Lear | 5/18/22

Writer James Smart, who died April 15 at age 92, was a Mt. Airy resident for 36 years. He wrote articles, columns (starting with the Philadelphia Bulletin) and books about Philadelphia history.

Prolific Mt. Airy journalist and author dies at 91

The 36-year Mt. Airy resident, who wrote countless fascinating and entertaining articles for many area publications, including the Chestnut Hill Local, died April 15 at the age of 91. more

by Len Lear | 5/4/22

Marion Lucille Steinmann, an author of books on science and medicine, was a resident of Chestnut Hill for more than 35 years. She died at age 92 on April 6 at Cathedral Village in Upper Roxborough.

Longtime Hill author, journalism pioneer, dies at 92

Marion Lucille Steinmann had a long career at Life magazine, where she started as a science reporter and was later promoted to associate editor. more

by Len Lear | 4/20/22

Peggy (far right) is seen with her husband, Frank (“Stretch”) Hendrie, Sr. (far left) and children (from left) Thomas Hendrie, Dierdre Hendrie Elvin, Maureen Hendrie Stanton and Frank Hendrie, Jr.

Hill's top cheerleader and world-class mom dies at 74

Margaret (Peggy) Jane Hendrie, a lifelong Chestnut Hill resident, passed away peacefully at age 74 on March 18, surrounded by her family. more

by Len Lear | 4/14/22

Jim Bear, who started G-Town Radio on a home computer in his Germantown apartment, died of lung cancer on March 18 at the age of 48.

Jim Bear, G-Town community radio pioneer, dies at 48

"I was really motivated by the power of community radio to reach local diverse groups with underrepresented sounds and ideas," Bear, a Roslyn native, told me a decade ago. "The major radio stations were owned by big corporations that do not want to take chances or rock the boat. It is all about money.” more

by Len Lear | 4/6/22

Betty Sherman on her honeymoon in Mykonos, Greece, after her 1979 marriage to candy manufacturer Arthur Sherman.

Betty Sherman, inspirational teacher, dies at 89

Betty Sherman, a former art teacher at Springside School who died March 15 at age 89, was the kind of teacher who inspired students - many of whom stayed in touch long after graduation. more

by Len Lear | 3/29/22

George Woodward engaging in his favorite sport. "I will admit I am a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to fishing," he once told the Local. Photo courtesy of the Woodward family

A member of Chestnut Hill's 'first family' dies at 85

Despite his lofty pedigree as a member of the first family of Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, George Woodward III was a soft-spoken, modest gentleman whose lifestyle was proudly pedestrian. more

by Len Lear | 3/23/22

Brooker received dozens of honors over the years, including his 2021 installation into the Germantown Hall of Fame.

Moe Brooker, internationally renowned Germantown artist, dies at 81

Moe Albert Brooker, a beloved, longtime Germantown resident and one of Philadelphia's most renowned artists, died Jan. 9 after a brief stay at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. He was 81. more

by Len Lear | 3/9/22

This is the last photo taken of Peggy (with Paul) before her death last November. It was taken in Maine (see the iconic lighthouse in the background), where they spent parts of 50 summers in their own waterfront place on Vinalhaven Island.

Good neighbors: an Erdenheim widower’s story

“I had never even met many of these families,” Buck, 89, said last week during an interview in his living room, “but they bring me fabulous meals and want to stay and talk. It was a real shock, and I am so appreciative of what they are doing that I wanted a wider audience to know how caring this small community is.” more

by Len Lear | 2/18/22

Dr. Dratman had an extraordinary medical/scientific career spanning more than 70 years.

Renowned Mt. Airy scientist, researcher, dies at 101

Dratman was an internationally-renowned research scientist, former professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, as well as a sought-after lecturer throughout the U.S., Europe, Africa and Asia. more

by Len Lear | 2/17/22

Wyndmoor's Charles Sterne III is seen where he was found so often, hiking along the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail. (Photo courtesy of the Sterne family)

Beloved Curtis Institute 'legend,' hiker from Wyndmoor, dies at 74

Stern, a legendary fundraiser for the Curtis Institute of Music in Center City, lifelong camper, animal lover and outdoor enthusiast who hiked most of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, died at home Jan. 9, surrounded by his loved ones, after a long battle with cancer. more

by Len Lear | 2/11/22

Gene Caffrey with the family dog, Ben, on a walk in the Wissahickon.

Gene Caffrey, Chestnut Hill community leader and businessman, dies at 80

Gene Caffrey, a longtime Chestnut Hill resident whose creativity and strategic sense of adventure led him from a budding legal career to real-estate entrepreneurship and then to the authorship of a … more

by Christopher Phillips | 2/10/22

Joseph Edward (Ned) Mitinger (right) with his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Rujean Inglis Mitinger.

Joseph Edward “Ned” Mitinger, former CHCA executive director, dies at 86

Ned, as he was known to friends, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 22. He grew up in Greensburg, PA, with his older sisters Mary, Jean (Anderson), and Ann (Krissinger). At Greensburg … more

By Catherine Brzozowski | 2/1/22

Bob Saget, who spent his childhood in Mt. Airy, spent his adult years making people laugh all over the world, although his family had more than their share of tragedy.

Bob Saget was candid about Mt. Airy, luck and tragedy

Saget, star of the two long-running TV shows “Full House” and “America's Funniest Home Videos.” was a 1975 graduate of Abington High School. more

by Len Lear | 1/28/22

Dr. Amy Brodkey, of Mt. Airy, was a highly respected psychiatrist and persistent advocate for improved women's mental health services.

Mt. Airy psychiatric pioneer and activist dies at 72

Dr. Amy Catherine Brodkey, a renowned psychiatric pioneer with more than 46 years of experience in the medical field and a resident of Mt. Airy for 43 years, died Nov. 22 of heart failure at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood at the age of 72. more

by Len Lear | 1/5/22

Dr. Daemmrich was chairman of the University of Pennsylvania's language department for 10 years and the author of more than a dozen books on language and literature. (Photo courtesy of the family)

Distinguished Flourtown scholar and author dies at 91

Horst S. Daemmrich, a scholar, professor and author with an international reputation in the world of academia died Nov. 26 of congestive heart failure at the age of 91 at his home in Flourtown. more

by Len Lear | 12/22/21

Miriam Lippman Finkel worked on behalf of many social justice issues for all 60 years that she lived in East Mt. Airy and for years before that.

Miriam Finkel, human rights icon, dies at 94

Miriam Lippman Finkel, who devoted her life to family and social justice issues, died after a long illness on Wednesday, Oct. 27 in the East Mt. Airy home where she had lived for 60 years. She was 94. more

by Len Lear | 12/16/21

Charles M. Peterson, III Memorial Service

The family of Charles M. Peterson, III, will hold a Celebration of Life in his honor this weekend. Charlie passed away peacefully on November 15th, 2020.The service will be held on Nov 13th at 4 pm … more

11/11/21

A Mt. Airy resident for 52 years, Chief Buffy Red Feather Brown, dressed in her Native regalia, often spoke at local schools, universities and other public and private assemblies about the history, culture and historical significance of Native Americans.

Foremost local Native American advocate dies at 93

Chief Buffy Red Feather Brown, a Mt. Airy resident for 52 years and passionate Native American activist, died at age 93 on Oct. 23 at the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice in East Falls. more

by Len Lear | 11/10/21

Bill Gillies, Philadelphia Fireman and well-loved champion of Chestnut Hill

William Edward Gillies died peacefully in his sleep on 26 September 2021 at the age of 87, after a long illness. more

11/4/21

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May 19, 2022 issue

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