SALEM — Having lived a long and full life, Dr. Frederick A. Spencer Jr. of Salem, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at age 83.
Fred “Doc” Spencer received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and then practiced medicine for over 40 years first in the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon.
After completing his service he settled his family in Salem, West Virginia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree at Salem College. He then opened a family practice clinic there in January 1967. Doc was an old school country doctor who made house calls, delivered over 1,000 babies (including all of his grandchildren), and never turned a patient away.
Doc served as team physician for Salem College for many years and was well respected throughout the Salem community, especially within the Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church where he was an active member from 1967 until his death.
He had a lovely singing voice, a terrific sense of humor, and a talent for flirting.
Doc was an accomplished gardener whose prized dahlias filled the vases of his friends and family every summer. He also loved to travel and spent many a leisurely Sunday afternoon touring in his beloved Miata convertible. Most importantly, he was a steward of the community, generous with his time and resources, and his home/office were always open to those in need.
Doc was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo; two sisters, Caroline and Ruth; his son, Frederick A. Spencer III; daughter-in-law, Dixie Lee Spencer; and granddaughter, Patience Josette Spencer. He is survived by his sister, Harriet Hill; two daughters, Kristianna Venderlic and Kathleen Miller; two sons-in-law, Dennis Venderlic and Randall Miller; eight grandchildren: Kirk Venderlic and wife Tessah, Cody Venderlic and wife Samantha, Ryan Venderlic, Logan Venderlic and fiancé Sophia Greco, Abigail Miller, Miranda Miller and partner Joe White, Elisabeth and Ian Spencer; one great-grandchild Jude Venderlic and numerous nieces and nephews. Doc is also survived by a “second son” Grant Smith who did more for Doc than anyone will know, and his “angel” caregiver Tammy Eddy to whom the family is very grateful.
Doc was a pretty terrific gent and we’d love you to join us at his memorial service at the Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church on Saturday, March 7, at 4 p.m. Visitation will precede the service at 3 p.m. at the church.
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