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SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. - Dr. Philip Charles Merker of Sleepy Hollow, formerly of Rye, died Tuesday, Nov. 19. He was 91.
Dr. Merker was born July 23, 1922, in Brooklyn, to Harvey and Tillie (Lehrer) Merker. He graduated from Brooklyn College and received a B.S. in Pharmacy from Long Island University. He then received a PhD in Pharmacology from Purdue University.
He started his career doing research at Memorial Sloan Kettering and proceeded into academia at the University of Tennessee and then at Columbia University College of Pharmacy where he was the chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences. He continued his career as a pharmacology and toxicology consultant at Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, Mass., and as a senior toxicologist for Procter and Gamble. He was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Audobon society. He was a member of Bet Am Shalom synagogue.
Dr. Merker is survived by his children, Dr. Marilyn (Robert) Merker Goldman and Dr. Edward (Elaine) Merker; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Alta Irene (Hirschfeld); and brother, Jarrold Merker.
The funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue at 295 Soundview Ave., White Plains, NY 10606 followed by burial at Sharon Gardens. Shiva will be held at 4207 Kendal Way, Sleepy Hollow, NY on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday with minyan at 7:30 p.m. Shiva will continue Monday, Nov. 25 and Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Edward and Elaine Merker's home at 20 Adams Farm Road, Katonah, NY 10536 Monday, Nov. 25 and Tuesday, Nov. 26 with minyan at 7:30 p.m.
Donations may be made to Bet Am Synangogue or The Massachusetts Audobon Society.
Funeral arrangements can be found by reaching Zion Memorial Chapel at www.zionchapel.com or by calling 914-381-1809.
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