Dr. William Lander, 92, of Villanova; old-school family physician and internist

Dr. William W. Lander, 92, of Villanova, a mainstay of the medical community on Philadelphia's Main Line for more than a half century, died Friday, Jan. 6, of cardiovascular disease at home.

Dr. Lander was an old-school family physician and internist based at Bryn Mawr Hospital with offices nearby on Glenbrook Avenue. He always wore a signature bow tie.

He kept up a daunting pace. Starting at 8 a.m., he held office hours Monday through Friday, and a half day on Saturday. Patients reported looking up from their hospital beds as late as 11 p.m., to see Dr. Lander checking on their conditions.

"He believed in the Hippocratic Oath. He got into medicine for all the right reasons. He was dedicated to the human spirit and taking care of people," said his son, John B. Lander.

William C. Wermuth IV, of Bryn Mawr, who was Dr. Lander's patient for 30 years, said the doctor saw him through some hard times, including a battle with alcoholism.

"He's the reason I am sober today," Wermuth said.

Born in Forest Hills, N.Y., Dr. Lander graduated from Episcopal Academy in 1943 and Ursinus College in 1946. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949.

Dr. Lander was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was stationed with the First Marine Division on the front line at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1951. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Valley Forge Chapter of Chosin Few whose members participated in the Chosin campaign.

Dr. Lander's residency in internal medicine at Bryn Mawr Hospital stretched from 1952 to 1953. He maintained a family practice from 1953 until his death. He was to have seen patients on Monday.

He held many titles at Bryn Mawr Hospital including chief of family practice, staff president, hospital representative to the American Medical Association, and a member of the hospital's executive committee.

Starting in 1954, Dr. Lander was active with the Montgomery County Medical Society, and he served as president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society in 1990.

For 25 years ending in the 1990s, Dr. Lander was the resident physician at Haverford College.

He was known for treating his patients with compassion, making house calls if need be, and always greeting patients and staff with a friendly "good morning," even if he was making hospital rounds at night.

Beginning in 1932, he was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, where his father had been rector for 39 years. He served as an acolyte until last fall.

Dr. Lander was a member of the trophy committee for the Devon Horse Show. He loved to garden, growing beautiful roses and hearty vegetables. His favorite vacation spot was a lake house in Sunapee, N.H., where he spent a month each summer with family, recharging his batteries.

His son said that he was always there for his three sons, supporting their dreams and choices of profession.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Bomberger Lander, in 2012 at age 88. The two were married for 63 years.

Besides his son, Dr. Lander is survived by sons William P. and David W.; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1116 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr. Interment is private.

Donations may be made in his memory to Bryn Mawr Hospital Attention: President Andrea Gilbert, 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010.

bcook@phillynews.com

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