Robert L. Sachs | Dress shop owner, 82

Robert L. Sachs, 82, a partner in Sachs Frankford, a women's clothing store in the Northeast for more than 30 years, died of Alzheimer's disease Friday at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life, where he had lived for five years. He was a longtime Center City resident.

Raised in Wynnefield, Mr. Sachs joined the Army in 1944, the year he graduated from Overbrook High School. He served stateside until being honorably discharged in 1946.

After earning a bachelor's degree in business and retail sales in 1949 from New York University, Mr. Sachs opened a Center City shop with the fashion designer Gustave Tassell.

After a few years, Mr. Sachs joined the family business, Sachs Frankford, with his father and brother. They opened a second shop in Haddonfield before closing in the late 1970s.

Mr. Sachs married Marcia Sobel in 1955, and the couple raised three children before divorcing in 1979. He was a leader in the Valley Forge Boy Scouts and was president of the Frankford Merchants Group.

"My father taught us to accept all people," said son Robert Jr. "He was unselfish and amiable. He could be seen driving his convertible around town dressed in hand-tailored suits with a pocket square and bold stripes. He was very stylish."

Mr. Sachs loved to garden and listen to classical music. "When he couldn't get down to vacation on Long Beach Island, he bronzed his body near the pool at the Hershey Hotel," his son said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Sachs is survived by another son, Jonathan; a daughter, Jennifer Sachs Dahnert; seven grandchildren; and a sister. His former wife also survives.

Services were yesterday.

Donations may be sent to Abramson Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Rd., North Wales, Pa. 19454-1320.