DR. SAUL MENDELSSOHN

Saul Mendelssohn, MD
Saul Mendelssohn died on July 5, 2017 surrounded by his devoted family.

Born in Nanticoke on April 30, 1935, he lived in the Hanover section until the age of seven. He moved to Glen Lyon and attended Newport Township High School where he graduated in 1953.

Saul graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA in 1957 with a BS in Biology and received his MD from Jefferson Medical College in 1961. Saul continued at Jefferson for his internship until 1962, after which Dr. Mendelssohn returned to the area and worked at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital as a hospitalist. One of his favorite and most valuable experiences was when he worked as a general practitioner with Dr. Raymond Decker of Wilkes-Barre, PA until 1964.

Dr. Mendelssohn began his specialization by attending the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia for his Internal Medicine training from 1964-1966 and continued at Hahnemann Medical College for a fellowship in Nephrology until 1968. Afterward, he became a clinical instructor at Hahnemann and was Chief of Nephrology at Philadelphia General Hospital, Hahnemann Division.

Following his time at Hahnemann, he entered the Army and attained the rank of Major. He served at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, TX and Valley Forge Hospital until 1970.

Dr. Mendelssohn returned to his roots in Northeastern Pennsylvania and started his Nephrology/Internal Medicine practice. He was the first Nephrologist in the area and worked tirelessly to set up the first dialysis unit at the General Hospital. As his practice grew, he established Renal Consultants of Wyoming Valley. As founder and president, he opened the Myer Mendelssohn Memorial Dialysis Clinic in 1976. While in practice he was also involved in and enjoyed teaching both residents, nurses and his peers.

Dr. Mendelssohn was a member of the AMA and PMS. His name appears on research papers which are published in the AJM and the Annals of Internal Medicine, and ASAIO. Saul also published chapters in the Hahnemann Symposium on Fluids and Electrolyte Balance.

In April 2000, Saul reluctantly retired from his own practice, and then worked for Intermountain Medical Group for 2 years. In 2006, he was asked to be the Chief of Nephrology at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, where he practiced until his ultimate retirement in 2012.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hannah Weissberger Mendelssohn and Myer Aaron Mendelssohn. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Leona Baiera Mendelssohn, his daughters, Carly Mendelssohn/Matthew Eaton of New Hope PA, Bonnie Kenewell/Jeffrey of Mountiantop, PA, and Emily DeShazor /Christian of Charleston, SC, and grandchildren; Paige, Liam and Talia Kenewell, Asher and Elliott Mendelssohn, and Rhys DeShazor. He is also survived by his sister Getelle Prouser of Harrisburg, PA and many nieces and cousins.

Dr. Mendelssohn was known for and enjoyed many areas of interest. He was an accomplished pianist and performed at charity events, Rotary and community clubs, Back Mountain Library Auction, and the General Hospital throughout Wyoming Valley as "Mendelace." He also loved chess, politics, history, and Penn State football. He had a vast knowledge of all things "wine" and loved to share his collection with friends over good food and conversation. But some of the most memorable moments were spent in conversation about current events with his beloved friend John Carey. Our families will never forget the stories, laughter and Cape May trips we have shared. Those were the best of Saul's times.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our dear friends for all their support and especially to John Carey for the care and love he extended to his friend Saul.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Franklin and Marshall College, the NE Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mercy Center, Dallas PA.

Funeral service will be conducted on Friday, July 7, 2017, at 10:00 am at the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Inc. 348 S. River St. Wilkes-Barre, with Rabbi Roger Lerner officiating.

Interment will follow in the Old Forge section of the Scranton Jewish Cemetery, Dalton.

Shiva will be observed Sunday and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7-9 at the family home, 457 Lake Louise Rd., Dallas.

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