Dr. Robert E. Colcher, 84, medical director of Valley Forge Medical Center & Hospital

Robert E. Colcher, 84, of Center City, medical director of Valley Forge Medical Center & Hospital, died Monday, Feb. 6, of heart failure at Hahnemann University Hospital.

In 1958, Dr. Colcher joined what was then Valley Forge Medical Center & Heart Hospital as chief of surgery.

He became medical director in 1966 after the death of his father-in-law, Joseph Wolffe, the hospital's medical director and founder.

In 1973, Valley Forge Medical Center changed its mission to providing treatment to adults with substance abuse and associated physical, social, and psychological disorders.

Dr. Colcher supervised the hospital's medical and nursing staff. He served on all of the committees, including the HIV/AIDS Addiction Committee.

He was a pioneer in treating HIV and AIDS patients and had received special training at Harvard University Medical School, said his daughter, Amy, also a physician.

Dr. Colcher was a member of the National Council on Compulsive Gambling and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He was a fellow with the International College of Surgeons, the International College of Angiology, and the American College of Sports Medicine. From 1972 to 1980, he was a U.S. representative to the International Federation of Sports Medicine.

A native of Olney, Dr. Colcher attended Central High School and Villanova University. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1950 and then completed a residency in general surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was later on the Jefferson college faculty for nine years.

From 1955 to 1957, he served with the Air Force in Asia.

Dr. Colcher loved chess and reading, and he played tennis twice a week until he was in his 70's, his daughter said.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ronnie Wolffe Colcher; a brother; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, in the community room of the Valley Forge hospital, 1033 W. Germantown Pike, Norristown, Pa. 19403.

Donations may be made to Valley Forge Medical Foundation at that address.

Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.