Dr. Neal D. Van Marter was an exceptional man who loved the Lord, his family, medicine, and the community. He was a family physician who provided medical care in Erie, PA and Anniston, AL. He died of natural causes in Atlanta, Georgia on September 26th, 2023. He was 95 years of age.

Dr. Van Marter was born in Sheffield, PA, on December 18, 1927 and was raised in Warren County, PA where his grandfather was a blacksmith, and his father owned a trucking business.   After two years at Allegheny College, Dr. Van Marter paused his education to serve in the United States Army where he was stationed in Japan just after World War II ended. Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha Erickson.

Dr. Van Marter graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in 1954. He established his family medicine practice in Erie, PA with Martha as business manager of the practice. During the early years of practice, Dr. Van Marter's office was situated on the first floor of the home in which the family lived. In 1976, the family moved to Anniston, AL where Dr. Van Marter expanded to Family and Occupational Medicine, caring for his patients until age 84.  Dr. Van Marter was a knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate physician who regularly cared for families through several generations and often was called upon to consult with other physicians to provide expertise in managing their sickest patients.  He was the family doctor who delivered babies, did office surgery, made house calls, conducted rounds at the hospitals, and visited the nursing homes. Many of his patients wrote and visited him until his passing.

He also was a history buff and enjoyed visiting national parks and sites of historical interest such as the Freedom Trail in Boston and the Gettysburg battleground.  Dr. Van Marter was always in motion. He was an avid tennis player, and an Atlanta Braves fan. He was always engaging his children and grandchildren is swimming, tennis, and cycling.  He modeled living life to the fullest.

Dr. Van Marter is predeceased by his beloved wife Martha Erickson Van Marter, son David, and daughter, Rebecca Susan.  He is survived by his sister, Sybil Hinkle, daughters Linda J. Van Marter, Melissa V. Hoggatt (Mark), Molly J. Van Marter, and son Neal D. Van Marter, Jr., as well as grandson Neal D. Van Marter III (Heath), grand-daughters Christine Emerson (Michael), Erica Raasch (Christian), Laura Van Marter Newby (Bryant), and Katherine Van Marter, as well as great-granddaughter, Margot Emerson and great-grandsons, Warren and Micah Newby.
An extraordinary man and outstanding physician, Dr. Van Marter will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.   He will be honored in services to be held at the Chapel at Forestlawn Gardens, Anniston, Alabama, on Sunday October 8th with visitation 12-1pm and service 1-2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama.