Richard L. Lang

Richard L. Lang, of Hatboro, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020. He was 69 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Richard moved with his family to Hatboro, PA in 1955. He graduated from Hatboro-Horsham High School in 1969. He was active in track and chorus and was the school mascot, a body-sized top-hat, at football games.

Richard pursued his undergraduate degree at Ursinus College, where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During his college years, he worked at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station as a lifeguard at the enlisted men’s pool and as a short order cook in the mess.  

Also during college Richard volunteered with the Horsham Ambulance Corps. This was the start of a lifelong love of medicine and forensic science. Richard was hired at Abington Memorial Hospital in 1971 and was finally persuaded to participate in a pilot program for Physician Assistants at Hershey Medical Center. During his graduation ceremony Richard was the class representative speaking on the importance of “bedside manner”. After graduating in 1978, Richard was hired as the first Physician Assistant in the Emergency Room at Abington Memorial Hospital where he worked for over 30 years. There he set the gold standard for his dedication to his patients and his willingness to help his colleagues. He taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support to the nursing staff, participated on many hospital committees, and spent countless hours teaching area paramedics and EMS personnel.

For a brief time, Richard worked with Dr. Magdi Kodsi, learning plastic surgery. His skill for suturing wounds was well respected among the medical staff of the emergency room.  Richard was a state certified coroner working many years with Dr. Halbert Fillinger, a forensic pathologist. He assisted on over 3000 autopsies in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties. After retiring from Abington Memorial Hospital, he worked in the Bucks County Coroner’s office.

In his spare time Richard enjoyed gardening, trains, dancing, and photography.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Lang, Jr and Mary (Clark) Lang and a niece, Monica (Lang) Morrison. 

He is survived by Vicki (Lang) Guilliams (Jim) of Douglassville, PA,  Barry Lang (Debbie) of Statesville, NC, and  Lisa Lang of Hatboro and extended family.

Relatives and friends will be received by his family on Monday, October 12, 2020 after 5:00 PM until the time of his memorial service at 7:30 PM. Interment will be private. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks must be worn in the building and social distancing guidelines observed. For those that cannot attend, follow the live stream of Richard's service on our Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Jefferson Health Hospice at Warminster, 225 Newtown Road, Warminster, PA 18974.

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