Joseph Eremus, Phila. leader in foot and ankle surgery

Joseph L. Eremus, 72, of Bryn Mawr, a longtime orthopedic surgeon and one of the Philadelphia area's most skilled practitioners of foot and ankle surgery, died Thursday, Sept. 22, of complications from esophageal cancer at home.

Dr. Eremus was an orthopedic surgeon at Bryn Mawr Hospital for 32 years before joining what is now the Lewis Katz Temple University School of Medicine. He led the way in operations on the foot and ankle there, officially signing on as a surgeon in 2009. He was on medical leave at the time of his death.

On learning of his death, Larry R. Kaiser, the medical school's dean and professor of surgery, released a statement lauding Dr. Eremus as "a Temple lifer."

"He earned his medical degree from Temple in 1972, and completed his residency in orthopaedics at our hospital in 1977. From then on, he was almost always in some way [assisting] with orthopaedics at Temple," Kaiser wrote.

"His patients loved him for his easy rapport with them as well as his expertise, and his colleagues and staff loved him as a truly kind, generous man," Kaiser wrote.

Reared in the village of Boiling Springs, outside Harrisburg, Dr. Eremus graduated from Boiling Springs High School. He was a PIAA wrestling champion in 1962.

"Joe and his brother often played on his mother's childhood farm on the banks of the Yellow Breeches [Creek]. Fishing and fly tying were favorite pastimes," the family wrote in a tribute.

He continued his studies at Penn State, from which he graduated in 1966. He was a standout varsity wrestler there, too, and a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. He was named one of the top 10 students in the senior class, his family said.

After completing Temple medical school, he served as a major at a 121st MASH Army Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, before returning to Fort Dix, where he was honorably discharged.

Dr. Eremus was a member and former vestryman at St. David's Episcopal Church in Wayne.

He was a longtime member of Aronimink Golf Club and the Merion Cricket Club.

"He was hard-working and really smart, but extremely modest about his intellect and skills. As his daughter, I only learned about his achievements from other people," Sarah Caruso said.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Margo Perry Eremus; mother, Becky; son, John; two grandchildren; a brother; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Youth Fly Fishing Club of South Middleton School District, 4 Forge Rd., Boiling Springs, Pa. 17007.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102