Dr. Manuel A. Bergnes, M.D., 93, Pathologist, of West Norriton, died Dec. 27 at The Meadows at Shannondell in Audubon. He was 93.

At Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown he was Chief Pathologist from 1950-83 and Attending Pathologist from 1983-92; also Pathologist at Phoenixville Hospital from 1949-1982. After retirement in 1992 he became Montgomery County Coroner’s Physician until 2000. He was engaged in the active practice of medicine until the age of 85.

Manuel Arthur Bergnes was born in Manhattan in 1915, the son of Luis and Alejandrina (Balat) Bergnes, both originally of Barcelona, Spain. His great-grandfather, Antonio Bergnes de las Casas was Rector of the University of Barcelona and a renowned linguist. A graduate of Xavier High School in New York, and Wagner College on Staten Island, Dr. Bergnes received his M.D. degree in 1941 from Long Island College of Medicine (now SUNY Downstate Medical Center).

Upon graduation from medical school, he received a commission as a first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the U.S. Army and interned at Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ until the U.S. entered WWII after Pearl Harbor.

In the Army he served in the 31st Division, 155th Infantry as a regimental surgeon in the Southwest Pacific Area where he saw combat in New Guinea and the Philippines (Mindanao). He was awarded the Silver Star for rendering medical aid under intense enemy artillery fire, and subsequently achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. Upon discharge he resumed his medical career by pursuing a residency in pathology at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. In 1950 he obtained board certification in pathology shortly after relocating to the Philadelphia area.

He was a member of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), American Society of Clinical Pathologists, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Montgomery County Medical Society (President, 1960) and Military Officers Association of America.

For the CAP he acted as Laboratory Accreditation Inspector.

He served on the board of the National Pituitary Agency in Washington, D.C. and was Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Pennsylvania from 1960-82. His volunteer activities included stints with Project HOPE in Nicaragua and Embudo Presbyterian Hospital in New Mexico, evidence of his lifelong commitment to aiding the less fortunate.

Dr. Bergnes is survived by his wife of 67 years, Muriel (Ahrend) Bergnes, a daughter, Linda of New York City, nieces and nephews: Joseph A. Bergnes, M.D. of Winter Haven, Fla., David Ahrend (Jennifer) of Brookhaven, NY, Donna Ahrend and James Ahrend, both of Albuquerque, NM. A younger brother and sister both predeceased him.

Funeral arrangements by Huff and Lakjer of Lansdale. There are no calling hours. The public is invited to attend a service for Dr. Bergnes at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 2 at Grace Lutheran Church, 506 Haws Avenue in Norristown, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart (St. Michael’s Convent, 51 Seminary Ave., Reading, PA 19605), Pennsylvania Medical Society Student Financial Services (P.O. Box 8820, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8820) or the charity of one’s choice.