By Rebecca Goodman
Enquirer staff writer

MOUNT AIRY - James A. Schlueter, retired doctor of internal medicine and hematology and a member of the Cincinnati Board of Health, died Tuesday at home.

"He was an excellent physician," said Mary Irvin of Green Township, director of nursing at Good Samaritan Hospital, where Dr. Schlueter was on staff until his retirement in 1996. "His bedside manner was great. He was very responsive to his patients (and) well respected by the nursing staff for his compassionate approach."

David Dornheggen of Mack, CEO of Good Samaritan, concurred. "His concern for his patients was paramount in anything he did."

Dr. Schlueter, 74, was appointed to the Board of Health last year. His term was to expire at the end of 2005.

Dr. Malcolm Adcock, health commissioner, said that although Dr. Schlueter had been on the board a relatively short time, "He was a very well respected member of the Board of Health and contributed greatly."

Born in Cincinnati on April 22, 1930, Dr. Schlueter attended St. Agnes School and Summit School for Boys (now part of Summit Country Day School) before graduating from Purcell High School in 1948.

He received his undergraduate degree from Xavier University in 1951 and medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1955.

He interned at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1955-56 and served residencies at Cincinnati General Hospital (now University Hospital) in 1956-57 and 1959-61.

Dr. Schlueter served with the Navy from 1957 to 1959.

He began his private medical practice in Bond Hill in 1961 and later moved it to Mount Airy. In addition to Good Samaritan, he was on staff at St. Mary, St. Francis, Cincinnati General and Mercy Franciscan hospitals and was medical director of St. Margaret Hall.

He was a member of the Hamilton County Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Society of Internal Medicine, and a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Schlueter's interests included golf, reading and serving as trustee of Sweetbriar Condominium Unit Owners Association.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Therese "Terry" Moran Schlueter; three daughters, Mary Ellen Rechtin of Taylor Mill, Karyn King of Columbia, Pa., and Paula Smith of Seminole, Fla.; a son, Vincent Schlueter of Parker, Texas; a brother, John Schlueter of Salem, S.C.; a sister, Mary Schlueter Krumdieck of Mount Airy; and 10 grandchildren.

Services were held. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 633640, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3640; or St. Anthony Shrine Society, 5000 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com