Martin L. Beller, M.D., former clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and a pioneering orthopedic surgeon in his own right, passed away on June 6, 2023, in Gaines, Pennsylvania, at the age of 99.
Beller was a member of the orthopedic practice founded by the brothers Dr. Irvin Stein and Dr. Raymond Stein until Irvin Stein retired in 1979. Beller retired in 1987.
Dr. Beller served as a clinical professor in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and also served as chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Dr. Beller received his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1946 and completed his residency in orthopedics at New York’s Hospital for Joint Diseases in 1952.
Beller wrote a book with the Stein Brothers in 1955 called Living Bone in Health and Disease. He also authored or co-authored numerous articles.
“Marty was undeniably brilliant, a gifted surgeon, professionally successful, a loyal friend and an important contributor to his profession and community,” his family wrote.
Beller was born in New York City on April 30, 1924, to Dr. Abraham Jacob Beller and Ida Fishkin Beller. He attended Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York, and graduated from there in 1940 at the age of 16. He then earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia College.
After medical school, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army. When he was honorably discharged in 1949, he had earned the rank of Captain.
His faith was very important to him. Beller served for many years on the vestries of Trinity Memorial Church in Philadelphia and St. Paul’s Church in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.
Beller was predeceased by his wife, Wilma Kjelgaard Beller. They had been married for more than 70 years when she passed away in 2020.
He is survived by their three children, Alan, Trixie, and Peter, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and his sister Barbara.
