The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Mourns the Loss of Richard M. Armstrong, Honorary Board Chairman

PHILADELPHIA, May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia mourns the loss of Richard Maxwell Armstrong, Jr., a longtime friend of the Hospital and Chairman of its Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years. A resident of West Chester, Pa., Mr. Armstrong, 72, died of cancer on May 9.

"Dick was utterly dedicated to CHOP and was a true champion of its mission," said Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., president and CEO of Children's Hospital. "Despite many demands on his time, he was always available when we needed his wise counsel. Not only was he masterful in leading the Board through a period of enormous institutional growth and change, he was a gentleman in every regard, respected and beloved by people throughout the Hospital. I am deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and his support, both professionally and personally."

First elected to the Children's Hospital Board of Trustees in 1984, Mr. Armstrong served on a number of Board committees, becoming Vice Chairman in 1988. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 1989, serving in that position until 2008. At the time of his death, he was an Honorary Chairman. During his tenure, Mr. Armstrong helped lead the institution through dramatic expansion of its clinical and research operations, as well as the development of its regional care network.

Mr. Armstrong also was the President of Armstrong Engineering Associates, of West Chester, Pa., an international firm specializing in the design and manufacture of heat transfer equipment for chemical applications. He graduated from Episcopal Academy, then located in Merion, Pa., which honored him with its Alumni Society Community Service Award in 2001. Earning an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., he then received his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1962.

In addition to his wife, Susan Dole Armstrong, to whom he was married for 50 years, Mr. Armstrong is survived by his son, Richard M. III, of Hopkinton, N.H., his daughters Elisabeth A. Connell of Evergreen, Colo., and Katrina A. Bricker of Lawrenceville, N.J., a brother, A. Joseph Armstrong, and seven loving grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service for Mr. Armstrong on Saturday, May 22, at 11 a.m. at the Class of 1944 Chapel, Episcopal Academy, 1785 Bishop White Drive, Newtown Square, Pa. A reception will follow at the Merion Cricket Club, 325 Montgomery Ave., Haverford, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Chester County Hospital or The Episcopal Academy.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 460-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia