James R. Koller, 63, attorney and developer

James R. Koller, 63, of Lafayette Hill, a lawyer and real estate developer, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, at home.

Mr. Koller cofounded the Blue Bell-based Vesterra Corp., a commercial real estate development company specializing in shopping center and apartment complexes.

Prior to creating Vesterra, he practiced real estate law at Dilworth Paxson L.L.P. in Philadelphia.

Mr. Koller was a fitness buff before his illness was diagnosed six years ago. He swam, lifted weights, or biked six days a week for more than 20 years.

On Saturday mornings, Mr. Koller enjoyed biking from his home in Lafayette Hill to the Philadelphia Art Museum and back, a 24-mile round trip.

"A kid at heart, he said his favorite part of the ride was pedaling as fast as he could down the steep hill of his long, winding driveway," his family said.

Once Mr. Koller was diagnosed with ALS, he dedicated himself to unlocking the mysteries of the disease.

He created Team Koller - a fund-raising group consisting of family, friends, and former classmates from La Salle College High School. The team took part in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS, run by the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter. The team raised between $20,000 and $30,000 for several years.

Mr. Koller also funded ALS research at the University of Pennsylvania.

In high school, Mr. Koller started at running back for the football team and starred in a production of Damn Yankees. He attended Marquette University before returning home to finish a bachelor's degree at Temple University in 1973. Three years later, Mr. Koller earned a degree from the Dickinson School of Law.

He was active at his parish, St. Philip Neri Church, where he was a eucharistic minister and a member of the finance committee.

Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Marianne Flynn; sons James and Kevin; four grandchildren; his mother, Marguerite Koller; seven sisters; three brothers; and nieces and nephews.

A 9:30 a.m. viewing Saturday, Feb. 7, will be followed by an 11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Philip Neri Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Rd., Suite 260, Ambler, Pa. 19002, or via www.alsphiladelphia.org.