J. Martin Myers Jr., M.D. of Newtown Square, formerly of Radnor and Mercersburg, PA, died July 20, 2021. He was born in Mercersburg, PA, August 16, 1919. He graduated from the Mercersburg Academy at 16 in 1936
Dr. Myers received an A.B. Magna Cum Laude in Chemistry, from Princeton University and a M.D. from Johns Hopkins University, School f Medicine. After serving in the Medical Corps of the US Army, he completed Psychiatric training at Johns Hopkins and was certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Coming to the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1951, he became its Medical Director/Psychiatrist in Chief (1962-1981) with responsibility for patient treatment, a residency program and research. Beginning in 1970, he headed a developing and expanding Department of Psychiatry at the Pennsylvania Hospital at Eighth St, including its Hall-Mercer Community Health Center. Several associates and he were among the earliest to demonstrate in America the value of Lithium in treating Bi-Polar Disorders. He also had publication on psychotherapy, geriatric and administrative psychiatry. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine in 1985. He served as a consultant to the National Institute of Health, the Health Care Finance Administration and the Veterans Administration at Coatesville, PA.
He was a Founding Fellow, Secretary-General and President of the American College of Psychiatrists, receiving the Bowis Award in 1978. Professional membership included American Psychiatric Association (Distinguished Life Fellow), Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (President), and Philadelphia Psychiatric Society (President),President of National Association of Private Psychiatric Hospitals, Fellow of the American College of Physicians and College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Locally he served on the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Hospital, the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (President) and the Travelers Aid Society (President).
He is proceeded in death by his wonderful wife of 63 years, Marjorie Grand-Girard Myers. He is survived by his loving daughters Carol Myers Miller (Ron) of Willow Street, PA and Dr. Susan Myers Smith (Tex) of Beaver, PA, and grandsons Robert Martin Smith (Jodi) of Conneautville, PA, and Ryan William Smith (Jenn) of Beaver, PA. He was an amazing person, an inspiration to all. He will be missed greatly.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Presbyterian Church of the Upper Conococheague, 41 West Seminary St, Mercersburg, PA 17236 or the Wayne Presbyterian Church Lancaster Pike Wayne, PA 19088
There will be a Memorial Service at White Horse Village on Friday August 13, at 3pm in the auditorium. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery Saturday. August 14 at noon. All are welcome.