Richard A. Bedford Sr. | Physician, 78

Richard A. Bedford Sr., 78, a family physician in Holmesburg for more than 40 years, died Tuesday of kidney cancer at home in Avalon, N.J.

"His father, who was from Krakow, Poland, advised him to change his name from Richard Adolph Bedrzynski to Bedford," said his wife, Rita. "He thought it was easier for his patients to pronounce and to find in the phone book."

Born in North Philadelphia, Dr. Bedford graduated in 1946 from Northeast High School. He joined the Marines immediately and served stateside until being discharged in 1949.

He earned a bachelor's in biology in 1952 from La Salle College and a medical degree in 1957 from Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Bedford met his future bride at Nazareth Hospital, where he was doing an internship and she was a nurse anesthetist. They married in 1959, and he hung a shingle outside their home at Welsh and Axe Factory Roads.

Dr. Bedford made house calls up until the day he retired in 1998, his wife said. "He was a compassionate, humble man," she said. He also was the physician for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Fox Chase and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Cornwells Heights.

Dr. Bedford moved to Avalon in retirement. He was an Eagles fan and loved to play tennis. "He was healthy and active until being diagnosed seven weeks ago," his wife said.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Bedford is survived by three sons, Richard Jr., Robert and Ryan; and seven grandchildren.

Friends may visit at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Holme Avenue and Stamford Street. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10. Burial is private.

Donations may be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 4949 Ogletown Stanton Rd., Suite 107, Newark, Del. 19713.