Richard A. Steiner, physician in Army

Richard A. Steiner, 73, of Moorestown, who retired in the late 1990s as an Army osteopathic physician, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Sunday, Dec. 7, at his home.

Until earlier this year, Dr. Steiner was a physician at the Concentra Medical Center in Pennsauken, his son, Christopher, said.

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Steiner graduated from Father Judge High School, and earned bachelor's degrees in accounting and biology at La Salle University, and a doctorate in osteopathy at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Following his training at La Salle in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, he was a field artillery officer in West Germany in the 1960s, his son said.

Once he finished his military obligation, he sold insurance. But within a year, he returned to La Salle "because he needed his premed courses completed" in order to enter medical school.

"He had many friends in medicine who convinced him to go to medical school," his son said.

Among his military assignments, he was deputy commander for clinical services at Fort Drum, N.Y., from 1991 to 1994, his son said.

He was the command surgeon for the Army Recruiting Command in Fort Knox, Ky., from 1995 to 1998.

And he was division surgeon for the Third Armored Division in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1988 to 1990, his son said.

Earlier, in 1983, "he was deployed for the invasion of Grenada with the 82d Airborne," he said, as part of the force, which consisted of other units as well.

Dr. Steiner "loved staying in the Austrian and German Alps. He would go back at least once a year."

After retiring in the late 1990s, Dr. Steiner worked for a family medical practice in Sicklerville and was a physician at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, his son said.

In recent years, besides his work with the Concentra Medical Center, he was also a physician at the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Dix.

Neighbor Bill Strauss said Dr. Steiner "was a faithful servant to the art of doctoring.

"He worked until about three weeks before he passed away. He took his responsibility to the art very seriously."

Besides his son, Dr. Steiner is survived by his wife, Helga, daughter Stefanie, and four grandchildren.

A viewing was set from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Lewis Funeral Home, 78 E. Main St., Moorestown. A graveside service with military honors was set for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown.

Donations may be sent to the V Foundation for Cancer Research at www.jimmyv.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.

610-313-8134 @WNaedele