John C. Frich Jr., M.D., FACR, 88, of Morgantown, W.Va., passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. John was born in Monongahela on May 10, 1934, to an English teacher, Ruth Larimer Frich and a math teacher, John C. Frich. John graduated from Baldwin High School in Whitehall, Pa., and attended Grove City College. After three years, he was accepted into the George Washington School of Medicine. He spent 10 years as a radiation oncologist at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. While there, he did sabbaticals at Christie Hospital in Manchester, England, Princess Margaret Hospital in Ontario, Canada, Sloan Kettering, Stanford University and Institute Gustave Roussy in Paris, France. He participated in the National Prostate Protocol, the National Hodgkin Disease Study Group, National Head and Neck Study Group and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology protocols. He also worked two years in private practice in Massillon, Ohio. In 1977, John became professor and chief of radiation oncology at West Virginia University Hospital, a position he held for 17 years. At WVU Hospital he participated in the National Breast Study, Eastern Clinical Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group and Pediatric Oncology Group studies. John also spent time at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. After retirement, John continued as medical director of the Gamma Knife unit. John’s final retirement was in 2014 at the age of 79. John served as a councilor in the West Virginia Radiology Society and was also on the board of the West Virginia American Cancer Society. He helped develop the West Virginia Cancer Plan and adoption of the Cancer Registry. John was a member of the F&AM, the Shriners and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Hopkins Frich; three daughters, Cindy Frich, Lisa Frich Jones and Kathleen Frich; granddaughter, Paris Frich; brother, Bill Frich; as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, George Jones. According to John’s wishes, the family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2023, in the Rehoboth Cemetery Chapel, 441 Rehoboth Road, Rostraver Township, PA 15012, at which time a brief funeral service will be held with the Very Rev. Stephan Gresh officiating. Interment will follow in Rehoboth Cemetery, which is situated on the old Frich farm in Rostraver Township, Pa. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Rostraver Township, 724-929-7934, www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com.
