Kenneth R. Sandler, M’70, FEL’74, a member of the psychiatry clinical faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine for more than 30 years, died suddenly at his home in Malvern, Pennsylvania on December 24. He was 71.

He was described by some colleagues in the department of psychiatry as “a national expert in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with substance use disorders.”

Dr. Sandler was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware, then received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and was board certified in psychiatry and addictions by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He joined the Perelman School of Medicine faculty over 30 years ago and taught pre-clinical classes. He was also president, founder and chief executive officer of Lighthouse, a New Jersey-based rehabilitation facility.

Dr. Sandler is survived by three children, Vanessa, Kayla and Kyle; his sister, Nancy (John); his nephews, Matthew, Andrew and Peter; and Tacy Ammons and Randy Sandler. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to CADEkids (www.cadekids.org) or Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (www.fidf.org).