Memorial service for John Vandrick

A memorial service celebrating the life of Dr. John A. Vandrick, MD, former director of the Student Health Service at Fresno State , will be held on Monday, March 15, in Fresno .

Dr. Vandrick died Dec. 30, after a nine-year battle with cancer and a recent stroke, according to family members.

Friends and colleagues of Vandrick are invited to the memorial service at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Fresno First Baptist Church ( 1400 E Saginaw Way ), said his wife of 55 years, Lois "Norrie."

He and Norrie moved to Fresno in 1978 and subsequently joined the Fresno State Student Health Service, where he served as director from 1981 to 1986.

Dr. Vandrick also served on the board of the Re-entry Program at Fresno State . He retired in 1986 and later served for two years as consulting psychiatrist.

A native of Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada , Dr. Vandrick grew up in Chilliwack , British Columbia , Canada . He served in the Canadian Air Force during World War II.

He received his BA from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver , Canada , and his MD from McGill University in Montreal , Canada and took advanced training in surgery ophthalmology and dentistry.

In 1952 he and his family went to India where he did medical work in several different hospitals and clinics under the auspices of the Canadian Baptist Mission. His many assignments ranged from general medicine to eye surgery and orthopedic surgery, including work with lepers. He was instrumental in getting an x-ray machine and other medical instruments for one of the missionary hospitals. He helped thousands of patients in rural areas of South India .

In 1965 the Vandricks moved to Michigan , where Vandrick trained to became a board-certified psychiatrist. He worked in private practice and in college health in Michigan , serving as the director of the Central Michigan University Student Health Center prior to coming to Fresno State.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Stephanie of Novato; sons Ken of Clare, MI, Ian of Riverdale and Paul of Fresno: son-in-law Jahan; daughters-in-law, Marilyn and Joyce; grandchildren Mariam, Eric, Allison, Jessica, Chiara, Priya and Giselle; four sisters; and many nephews and nieces.