Stanley R Lane

April 24, 2020

STANLEY R. LANE, M.D. When Dr. Stanley Lane of Moorestown passed away on April 24, 2020 at age 78, he had lived a happy, fulfilling life. He spent nearly half a century in response to a calling he had sensed by the age of five to practice medicine. He also enjoyed a happy 55 year marriage after falling in love before he turned 18. He adored his daughter Victoria (Stuart) Paulsen and doted on his grandsons Erik and Spencer Paulsen, his parrot, and his dog. Stan idolized his family physician who was a compassionate and exemplary gentleman. He made house calls and was a good listener who never seemed impatient. Stan expected to take his place after completing his training; but his revered roll model succumbed to a heart attack on the way to a house call. Stan remained fixed on his course. Stan grew up in New York City where he took full advantage of its famous cultural opportunities and great eating places. As he prepared to graduate from New York University Heights, he interviewed and chose to attend New York Medical College. His interviewer must have been amused when he asked Stan about his plans. Stan described his intention to teach, be involved in research, and also have his own medical practice. Stan was incredibly well organized, and with his unlimited energy, he managed to do it all. He married as he began his second year of medical school. His wife, Cecelia eventually became concerned when she heard other medical student’s wives constantly complain that they often felt lonely and neglected because their husbands were always studying. It occurred to her that, while she and Stan played lots of golf and tennis, ate out, and attended concerts and the theatre, she had never actually seen him study; so she asked Stan how he was doing in school. He just shrugged and said, “Don’t worry sweetie, I’m in the top 10% of my class.” “But you never study!” she said. Stan just bellowed out with that big deep laugh of his: “Oh, I don’t really need to study!” This remained a mystery until Cecelia woke up one night at about 4:00 A.M. No Stan. She finally found him on the living room rug surrounded by books. Mystery solved. The U.S.Army allowed Stan to enlist under a deferment program so that he might complete his studies without interruption. He remained in New York to complete his internship and residency before moving to Washington D.C. He had accepted an invitation to take part in an Allergy Fellowship program at the Children’s Hospital of the D.C. In addition, he worked in immunology at N.I.H., and at Walter Reed Army Hospital. As he was involved with intriguing research and the resulting articles, Stan became fascinated by immunology. His days often concluded with “moonlighting” in the E.R. at a hospital off the beltway, scene of horrible, high-speed accidents. By 1970, the U.S. Army called Stan to head the Allergy/Immunology department at Walson Army Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey. The Viet Nam war raged on, and the hospital had an overflowing workload. Stan started work at the crack of dawn as patients arrived by helicopter from all along the east coast; but after hours, he made time to unwind at the golf course on the base. He also took an hour break every day to have lunch with Cecelia and exchange stories about their daily encounters, a habit they would continue throughout their life together. Still, the volume in Stan’s clinic broke all records at the Army Hospital. He also become known for saving quite a few lives, including top brass. Stan received several commendations and was promoted to Major Lane. In the end he resisted pressure to remain in the Army due to his concern that if he continued to be promoted, he would have less exposure to patients. Stan was determined to serve patients rather than become an administrator. In 1972 as his Army commitment was fulfilled, Stan was approached by the Burlington County Medical Society. They convinced him to stay in the area. He was welcomed onto the staffs of all the area Hospitals, an office was located for him, and Elizabeth Meyers (mother of Nancy Laessle), who had been one of his first patients, found a beautiful home for the Lanes to rent reasonably in Moorestown. He was the first allergy/Immunologist to set up in Burlington County. Stan promptly headed a free clinic at the Burlington County Memorial Hospital in Mt. Holly. He loved being close enough to Philadelphia to participate in their fine teaching hospitals. He got involved at St.Christopher’s Children’s Hospital, which then served a particularly needy population. He also traveled to Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, where he lectured and make weekly rounds as a Clinical Assistant Professor for over 25 years. He believed in passing on the wisdom of experience, and teaching those who would follow. Stan was also a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Temple University School of Medicine for over 10 years. He was a Fellow of The American Academy of Allergy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Allergy & Immunology. He was a past President of the Burlington County Medical Society and member of the Society’s Committee on Legislation. He was extremely active on the Environmental Committee of the Medical Society of N.J., the State of N.J. Environmental and Occupational Committee, and the State Department of Health, Occupation and Health Committee. He was on the Governor’s Council for Solid Waste. He was President and founder of the Independent Physicians Association of Burlington County. Stan loved the Moorestown Rotary Club, their camaraderie and the work they did. The year Stan became Rotary President, the club succeeded in their effort to wipe out Polio world-wide. He also headed the Moorestown Rotary Substance Abuse Committee, presenting programs in schools and meeting both with students and their families. Stan was ahead of his time as an early anti-smoking crusader. By 1980 he had published several articles about the effects of passive or “Sidestream” smoking. He refused a lucrative position the American Tobacco Co. offered in an effort to silence his opposition. Stan was heard on radio and TV interviews as he informed the public about the serious health risks of smoking. An overview of the body of work he published and presented at various professional meetings here and in London would demonstrate the amazing variety of his pursuits. Dr. Lane loved his patients, and they loved him. Many of them enjoy relating stories of how he saved their lives, how he stopped his car to resuscitate a woman who was unconscious on her lawn after multiple yellow jacket stings while gardening, the time he resuscitated a child dragged from the water with no pulse, and how they watched him reverse someone from blue and lifeless back to consciousness when resuscitated by him during a church service. These and many other stories could make Dr. Lane part of the area folklore. He will not be forgotten. In lieu of flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Rd., Moorestown, NJ 08057 in Stan’s memory or a charity of donor’s choice.