Many readers of the Local will remember the Rev. Theodore “Ted” Loder, the pastor for 38 years (until 2000) at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, who died on April 1, 2021 at the age of 90. The Rev. Loder was a powerful orator who was a magnet for parishioners of many faiths and a champion of minorities, immigrants, gay rights and other social causes at a time when the church hierarchy was not pleased with his activism.
Rev. Loder’s son, David Edwin Loder, of Flourtown, a proverbial chip off the old block, also an advocate of humanitarian (and animal) causes, as well as a successful attorney and supporter of many local educational and cultural institutions, passed away peacefully on Oct. 23 at the age of 71.
Loder’s daughter, Julya, told us last week, “My dad had a gift for making people feel immediately comfortable, like you’d been friends for years even if you’d only just met. Conversations with him could last for hours, weaving effortlessly from Philadelphia sports or politics, topics he had no shortage of opinions about, to the emotional intricacies of life: relationships, heartbreak, meaning, purpose and everything in between. ... That openness created a kind of gravitational pull that drew people toward him and made them feel safe.
“He brought out vulnerability in others, not by asking for it directly but by being open himself and creating a space where it felt natural to share. As a man of his generation, that kind of emotional availability was rare, and it made an enormous and lasting impact on everyone around him.”
Born in Yalesville, Connecticut, to the Rev. Theodore W. Loder and Doris A. Loder, David Loder graduated from Germantown Friends School (Class of 1972), and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut (Class of 1977). Upon leaving Wesleyan, he was awarded a prestigious Watson Fellowship, which took him to Warsaw, Poland, for a year of independent study. He earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981 and then received a Thouron Fellowship to study international law at the London School of Economics.
In 1982, Loder began a distinguished 43-year career with Duane Morris LLP in Philadelphia, where he was a partner and chaired the Health Law Practice Group for many years. Loder’s stellar reputation in health law extended well beyond Philadelphia; he was regarded as one of the nation’s most respected healthcare lawyers.
Loder also had a lifelong dedication to service and philanthropy. He gave generously of his time and resources to many organizations, serving on the boards of Germantown Friends School, the University of the Sciences, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, Strings for Schools, Teach for America, Philadelphia Zoo, Wilma Theater, where he also served as chairman, and more.
Loder’s wife, Jennifer Ventresca, told us, “It is impossible to capture such a vibrant and remarkable person in just a few words. Above all, David was devoted to his family and friends. His love for them was endless. In September, he had the pleasure of gaining a son-in-law. Most recently, his face radiated pure joy as he held his granddaughter, Skye. He looked forward to welcoming his second grandchild into his world. David found his greatest happiness in time spent with those he loved.
“Professionally, he was known for his integrity, dedication and unwavering commitment to his clients,” Ventresca continued. “David’s presence enriched the lives of all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the love he shared, the wisdom he offered and the countless ways he inspired and challenged those around him.”
Loder was a lifelong athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball through high school and college, and later playing tennis, golf and doubles squash until his final year. He was a longtime member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club and clubs in New York State and North Carolina.
According to his son, Kyle, Loder “found his greatest joy in simple moments: sitting on the porch of his Flourtown home with family, friends and [black Lab] Elbi at his side, gimlet in hand, listening to the Wissahickon Creek, or on the deck of his home on Long Beach Island with Jen, watching the waves crash (ever closer) to his home ... His warmth, humor, guidance and generosity will be remembered by all who knew him.”
Loder is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and her four children: Reanna, A.J., Nate and Gavin; by his former wife, Nadya Shmavonian, with whom he shared three children: Marek (Sierra), Kyle (Allison) and Julya (David); and one granddaughter, Skye Loder. He is also survived by siblings Mark, Karen, and Tom — and his black Lab Elbi.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Germantown Friends School Meeting House, 31 West Coulter St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Penn Medicine Scleroderma Center, with checks payable to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and sent to Penn Medicine Development, attn: Amanda Hills, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
