Wentworth D. Vedder, attorney, dies at 56

Wentworth Darcy Vedder, a lawyer in Philadelphia and Montgomery County and a dedicated churchman, died suddenly on Oct. 13. He was 56 and lived in Bala Cynwyd.

Vedder was born in York, Pa., where his late father, also Wentworth D. Vedder, was a well-known lawyer. His mother was Kathryn Williamson.

He graduated from the Schuyler Preparatory School in Schuylerville, N.Y., in 1973, Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., in 1978, and Widener University Law School in Wilmington, Del., in 1988.

He served as a public defender in Montgomery County, handling a number of high-profile criminal cases, for about 20 years.

He founded the law firm of Bryn & Vedder, in Philadelphia, with his partner, Elaine Bryn, in 1991.

Vedder was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, in Ardmore, serving as its solicitor and for several terms on the Vestry.

He was a Republican committeeman in Ardmore and was involved in politics.

Vedder was a do-it-yourself handyman who helped family members and friends with various projects.

He also enjoyed fishing, shooting skeet, playing tennis and observing the stars with a telescope.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, the former Carol Kovach; two sons, Williamson and Thomas; a daughter, Leah; three sisters, Paula Martin, Josephine Heidke and Jocelyn Greene; and four brothers, Clyde, Christopher, Peter and Williamson Vedder.

Services: Were Saturday. Burial was in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, York.

Contributions may be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 36 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore PA 19004.