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The passing of a best friend

It is with heavy heart that we write this letter to the communities of Montoursville, Williamsport, Danville and Bloomsburg to recognize the passing of Dr. Frank C Yartz, our best friend of 53 years. Dr. Yartz served these communities as an obstetrician and gynecologist, was affiliated with Geisinger Medical Center and most recently Susquehanna Health Group for many years. He has practiced medicine for over 41 years.

Dr. Yartz, a very proud and highly regarded physician, worked tirelessly over the years in serving his patients, and colleagues and hospitals within the region. He was always available to his patients, attentive to their care and supportive of their families. In addition, he adored his own family especially his two daughters Morgan and Logan, and his grandson, Brantley, Morgan’s son. They were the “apples of his eyes” and he supported their every need and aspiration. He was a friend to many in the communities he served.

Not only were his patients and his family his top priorities, Dr. Yartz was always accessible to his many friends. No matter how busy he was, he always seemed to have time for a phone call from a friend, whether it was for a friendly chat or a phone call from a friend who had an important medical issue confronting a member of his friend’s family.

Dr. Yartz and we became best of friends in 1966 as students at Bloomsburg University and remained true friends throughout the years. It should be known that becoming an Ob-Gyn doctor was not an easy road for Dr. Yartz or for any doctor for that matter. He graduated from Bloomsburg University as a teacher, then while teaching he earned a master’s degree from Bucknell University in guidance and counseling. However, his real calling was to become a doctor. His mother was a victim of breast cancer and we believe he sought to become a gynecologist to help women in addressing health issues.

He went back to Bloomsburg and earned a major in biology and then went to medical school and became a general practitioner before returning to training to become an Ob-Gyn doctor. Quite a road for any doctor to travel. All of Frank’s friends and Bloomsburg University have always been proud of Frank’s accomplishments. So much so, Dr. Yartz was honored a few years ago as an outstanding alumnus from Bloomsburg State College representing the graduates of the classes of the 1960’s decade. Quite an honor.

Personally, for us we have lost a dear friend whom we will never forget and we know our contemporaries feel very much the same. To the residents of Bloomsburg, Danville, Williamsport, Montoursville, and the Bloomsburg University community, we know in our hearts that you will never forget Dr. Yartz as a caring and competent doctor and friend to all. Furthermore, and equally important, you will remember him as a kind and gentle man who wanted nothing more than to be the best in his profession and the best dad and friend to others that he could be. It has been our distinct pleasure to have enjoyed his friendship for the past 53 years. We mourn his death. May he rest in peace.

Robert J. Bartoletti

Director Emeritus, The College of New Jersey

Ronald Russo

Head Wrestling Coach Emeritus, Columbia University

Submitted via email

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