Dr. Vernon C. Urich Obituary (1931 - 2022)

Dr. Vernon C. Urich, 90, of Oro Valley Arizona passed away October 19, 2022, peacefully and painlessly in his sleep. He died of Covid and advanced Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Bodies Dementia. A memorial mass will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Prince of Peace Church in Sun City West, Arizona. A private family entombment will be held. The rosary will be prayed before the mass in the church. Vernon, the oldest son of Elmer and Rose (Hejlik) Urich, was born October 20, 1931 in Garner, Iowa. He graduated from Garner High School in 1949. He attended University of Iowa and graduated with a BS in 1952 and his Medical Degree in 1956. Internship at Hurley Medical Center (1956-1957) and Residency at Iowa State University (1957-1961). Vernon had a private practice in Flint Michigan until 1991 and then worked at the Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix Arizona. He was married to Joan Macksood in 1957 with five amazing children. Post graduate certificates with State of Iowa (1956), State of Michigan (1961), State of Arizona (1963), Fellow, American College of Surgeons (1967), and American Board of Urology (1964). Vernon belonged to over 24 organizations and 6 of which he was on the board of directors. He was the chief of Surgery at Genesee Memorial Hospital (1966-1970), Chief of Urology St Joseph Hospital (1970-1991) and Chief of Urology Carl T. Hayden VA Hospital (1991 to 1998). He worked at St Joseph Hospital, Hurly Medical Center, Genesee Memorial Hospital, McLaren Regional Medical Center, Wheelock Memorial Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, University of Michigan Flint Hospital, and Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center from (1961 to 1998). He published 11 articles and presented at 144 different conferences, colleges or hospitals. Patient education was high on his list of accomplishments with 16 published documents. Vernon felt all patients were entitle to healthcare and when they could not afford it he took sweets, fresh eggs, farm fruits in lieu of money. He made house calls and worked around the clock for his patients. After retirement he did not stop working. He volunteered his time at Indian reservations and the Heard Museum. Vernon loved University of Michigan Sports and was part of the recruiting committee under Bo back in the day for football. He was a kind, loving and compassionate man with a very devote catholic faith. He loved to golf, walk and do research any topic he did not know about. At age 70, he was in (12) 5K walking races and placed in the top three each time. He dedicated his life to others and helped anyone that needed it. He never asked for anything in return. Vernon loved his children very much and tried to be at many Macksood & Nakfoor family holiday functions. He loved to make home made ice cream, barbecue meats, fresh farm watermelon and corn on the cob. His children were his pride and joy. He looked forward to being with them and his grandchildren as much as he could. Vern learned sand painting, painting, clay work, chair volleyball and chair yoga as his illness progressed. He had one special friend (Walter Hellman) that encouraged him to stay engaged in arts and activities. He was never the same after he passed away. He loved his friends, artwork and time out of his room. He became wheel chair bound during Covid but never complained. He loved all animals, especially his cat when he was younger as it was his first patient. He ran over the tail with his lawn mower and got his mother's sewing needle and stitched it up. That was when he knew he wanted to be a doctor. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the (APDA) American Parkinson Disease Association. Vernon is survived by his brother, Gary (Sharon) Urich of Iowa City; Joan Urich-Moses of Sun City West, AZ; his children Susan (Brian) McCaslin of Libertyville, IL; Daughter Ann Urich of Peoria, AZ; Son Vernon Urich, Jr. of Sun City West, AZ; Son David Urich of Solano Beach, CA; Grandchildren Liz (Quentus) Cumby of San Jose CA; BJ (Caitlyn) McCaslin of Highland Park, IL; Skylar Urich of Tempe, AZ; Joshua, Nick and Lucy Urich of Encinitas, CA; and great grandchildren Drew & Kyla Cumby of San Jose, CA. As well as over 135 nieces and nephews, great nieces/nephews from the Urich, Macksood and Nakfoor families. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Mary Jean Batham; and son Joseph Urich.