John Md

It was learned today of the death of John R. (Dick) Wieder, M. D., after a long battle with cancer. He was born on March 8, 1942 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of the late Major John M. Wieder, USAF (Retired) of Kissimmee, Florida and the late Mrs. Helen (Keller) Wieder of Parkersburg, West Virginia. He is also survived by Mrs. Dorothy I. Wieder, his beloved step-mother whom he called "Momma-Dot." He is also survived by his loving wife, Patricia B. Wieder, of the home. She was the sunshine of his life. Also surviving him is his brilliant and beautiful sister, Mrs. Elizabeth McMullen and his "Best Brother in the World", Stephen K. Wieder, both of Kissimmee, Florida. Four children also survive: Mrs. Wendi Praytor (husband Tim) of Spartanburg and their children, Samantha, Alissa and Alisson and great-granddaughter, Addison; Mr. Gary W. Plum (and wife, Brooks) of Goose Creek, SC and their daughter Aubrey; Mrs. Suzanne Marklin of Boiling Springs, SC and her children Paul and Jeremy; Mrs. Amy Jo Wilson of Kennesaw, GA and her children, Marshall, Jodee and Luke; and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. Dr. Wieder graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1960. He obtained an A. B. in Psychology from West Virginia University in 1964 and an M. S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University in 1966. He served as a counselor at Huntington State Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia from January 1966 to August 1966, accepting then a position as a counselor at the SC State Hospital from August 1966 until 1970. During that time, Dr. Wieder served as Chief of Rehabilitation Services of the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. In August of 1970, he entered the freshman class of the Medical University of South Carolina graduating on June 6, 1974 with his M. D. From April 1974 to March 1975, he served a rotating internship at the then Spartanburg General Hospital. On April 14, 1975, he opened his solo general practice in Enoree, SC. In September, 1983, he accepted a position with the Department of Defense as an occupational health physician at the Naval Weapons Station Branch Clinic in Goose Creek, SC. There he was responsible for the yearly physical exams and lab work on civilian employees stationed in hazardous billets and assisted in military sick call. While in this position, he enlisted into the United States Naval Reserve where he attained the rank of Lt. Commander. He was assigned to the USS Blakely, FF 1072 where he was the ship's doctor. He always maintained that those years in the Naval Reserves and having the opportunity of going to sea were among the happiest years of his life. In 1987, he returned to Spartanburg into medical practice with Dr. Bernard Corbit from 1987 to 1991. In April of 1991, he established Hillcrest Family Practice with his devoted friend, Dr. Michael Mayfield until his retirement on November 30, 2006. Later Dr. Melinda Moretz joined their practice. On November 2004, he was elected to Chief of the Family Practice Department at Mary Black Memorial Hospital until November 2006. He also served on the Executive Committees of the Mary Black Memorial Hospital to which he was devoted from 1997 to 2006. He was a former member of the Southern Medical Association and also a member of the Southern Medical Association and also a member of the Spartanburg Medical Society. He was also very proud to be a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, MuMu Chapter of West Virginia University where he held various offices. He became a Life Loyal Sig several years ago. Dr. Wieder was very appreciative to the State of South Carolina for giving him the opportunity of realizing his childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor. He practiced medicine for a total of thirty-one years, seven months, and sixteen days. During his life, he had numerous and various interests in US History, the lives of the Founding Fathers, US military history, and the self-study of relativistic physics and quantum theory. He had written numerous short essays of various subjects, poems, a children's story, and a novelette, Beezer: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. It concerned the shenanigans of his youth in the 1950's with his dearest friend - Stephen Renner Elberfeld. He desired to say a fond farewell to his nurses: Virginia, Amy, Jeanne, and Sheila. He would like to thank the following friends that so enriched his life: John and Patty Weeks of Spartanburg; Mike and Beki Wilson of Spartanburg ; Richard and Twig Sanders of Boiling Springs; Brian and Leisia Hightower of Spartanburg; Jack, Bec, and Meta Hoge of New Knoxville, Ohio; Allan and Nora Elberfeld of Tuppers Plains, Ohio; Sam and Nonie Keller of Vienna, West Virginia; Dr. John A. and Amye Bays of Marietta, Ohio; and to Steve and Sheila Blanton of Boiling Springs. For expending and enriching his knowledge of the honorable art of medicine, he thanks Michael Mayfield, MD; Melinda Moretz, MD; Wallace Boyd, MD; Richard Moretz, MD; George Bass, MD; Joseph Boscia, III, MD; Kim Hunt Yee, MD; Dale Duncan, MD; and James Carter, MD. Lastly he wishes to thank his thousands of beloved patients who came to him trusting his knowledge and expertise. He was totally devoted to their care and welfare, for it was his Hillcrest Family Practice Staff, his patients, his friends, and his loving wife that made his life a truly remarkable adventure. Last, but by no means least, he thanks the Creator for giving him a chance at life. His last wish was that, when the chill waters of Death dampens his feet, he could approach it as to "wrap the drapery of his couch about him and lie down to pleasant dreams." Written by John R. Wieder, M.D., July 13, 2010 A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Richard Peters and the Rev. Lester Haney. Visitation will follow the service at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Journey Hospice, 420 The Parkway, Suite N, Greer, SC 29650; or to Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John R. "Dick" Wieder, MD please visit our Sympathy Store.