05/22/2024
Robert Irick MD Obituary
Robert Manford Irick, MD died peacefully on April 9, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born June 25, 1934, to parents Charles and Beatrice Irick. He resided in Hobart, Indiana during his childhood years, graduating from Hobart High School in 1952. Robert received his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University. Soon after, he attained his doctorate degree at Indiana University Medical School in 1960. While attending Indiana University in Indianapolis, Robert met his future wife, the lovely Suzanne Warner, a nursing student. Their courtship was brief, and they were soon married in Chesterton, Indiana, on October 4, 1958.
Robert was a highly driven, intelligent, athletic, deeply religious and patriotic man. During his younger years, he participated in football, baseball, track and boxing. He loved watching sports, especially Notre Dame Football, and Chicago Cubs baseball games. He was a strong proponent of fitness and strength training. He made it a priority to attend his children's sports activities and games, if possible. Robert was also an incredible history buff, especially in the areas of European history and WWII events. Robert was a gifted storyteller, embellishing with sensational touches of fiction for dramatic effect. He also had quite the sense of humor, often tinged with barbed overtones. No one was immune to being the butt of his jokes. He also gave each of his eight children colorful nicknames, most of them sweet.
Robert led a dynamic life, relocating cross-country several times during his lifetime. Robert’s medical internship and residency were split between a three-year stint in the U.S. Navy as a Flight Surgeon stationed at Pensacola, FL, and Whidbey Island between 1961 and 1963. His years served in the Navy were among the most cherished of his military service. Robert felt compelled to serve again during midlife. The second time around, however, he joined the U.S. Air Force stationed at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California between 1980 and 1984. He attained the rank of Lt. Colonel and was honorably discharged from both branches.
Robert’s civilian medical career began in Ludington, Michigan at Memorial Hospital where he became the hospital’s first Pathologist and Laboratory Medical Director. His medical career encompassed practice in sports medicine, family practice, and urgent care while working in Bloomington, Indiana and he completed his career at the age of 82, in Elwood, Indiana.
Robert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Suzanne Irick, and his eight children, five daughters and three sons. They are, in birth order, Joyce (Joseph) Geierman, Suzanne Jean Severinac (Robert), Edward (Shiela) Irick, Christine (Phil) Frech, Charles (Melissa) Irick, Antonia (Justin) Frazier, Robert Jr (Natalya) Irick, and Teresa (Jayson) Johnstone. Robert is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Robert’s life will be celebrated privately by his family on June 16, 2024.
