Marc S. Lapayowker, 87, radiologist

Marc S. Lapayowker, 87, of Center City, a longtime radiologist and professor of radiology in the Philadelphia area, died Monday, Oct. 6, of renal failure at his home.

Dr. Lapayowker joined the staff of Temple University Hospital in 1960 and remained there for 23 years. He became professor of radiology at Temple and also director of diagnostic radiology at Temple University Hospital.

In 1983, Dr. Lapayowker left Temple to take a job as chairman of the department of radiology at Abington Memorial Hospital. At the same time, he founded and became president of the Radiology Group of Abington, a physician group affiliated with the hospital.

He retired in 1992 as emeritus chair of the radiology department at Abington Memorial, but made himself available for consultation with both the hospital and Temple for many years.

Born and reared in Philadelphia, Dr. Lapayowker was a 1945 graduate of Central High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Temple and his medical degree from its school of medicine.

He interned at Delaware Hospital in Wilmington and performed his residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Philadelphia.

Dr. Lapayowker was president of Philadelphia Roentgen Ray Society in 1975 and 1976. He was active in various other professional groups on the local, national, and international level. Many of these honored him with awards, including the Roetgen Society, which named him educator of the year in 2002.

He was author or coauthor of 77 articles, papers, and book chapters, and helped train 78 radiology residents while at Temple, his family said in a tribute. "His impact on the medical profession," his family said, "will long survive him."

He also was the founder and president of one of the first MRI facilities in Montgomery County.

Dr. Lapayowker, a Navy veteran, had many interests outside medicine. He loved to sail, travel, and spend time on Long Beach Island, N.J.

He was a long-term board member of the Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble. He served on the board of the Walnut Street Theatre and was a member of the Franklin Inn Club, a group that hosts topical speakers. He was a longtime supporter of the Philadelphia Zoo, WHYY TV12, the 1812 Productions theater company, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Franklin Institute.

His first wife, Isabel Lapayowker, to whom he was married for 46 years, died in 1996. He married Joan Jacobs in 1998.

Surviving, besides his second wife, are a son, Andrew; daughter Janet Forman; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at noon Sunday, Nov. 2, at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22d St. Burial was private.

Contributions may be made to the Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble, 1735 Market St., 51st Floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.

610-313-8102