Dr. David Henry Vroon, 70: ‘The force behind Grady's clinical laboratory'

"He had respect for the patient no matter their financial or socioeconomic level," she said. "He was a teacher for the residents, and tried to instill in them the same focus he had. He was always an advocate for the laboratory throughout Grady Hospital and would guide clinicians to use good science medicine when treating patients."

Bhagirath Majmudar, a professor of pathology and associate professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University, called Dr. Vroon "the force" behind Grady's clinical lab.

"His name is deeply ingrained in every wall of the clinical lab," he wrote in an e-mail. "I can say without hesitation that he is the force behind the highly-efficient clinical laboratory at Grady Memorial Hospital."

Dr. Vroon stayed focused on Grady even though he suffered from multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed at 38, the avid outdoorsman seldom discussed the illness. Nor did it confine him.

"He had incredible determination to do the work he thought was important and to support his family," said a son, Bryan Vroon of Atlanta. "The condition was a battle every day and he won the battle."

On Aug. 17, Dr. David Henry Vroon of Atlanta died in his sleep from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was 70. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Vroon grew up in Miami where he attended Coral Gables High. He earned a bachelor's degree from Calvin College and graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine.

In 1969, he became a pathology resident at Emory University School of Medicine. He eventually became an associate professor at the same school, and in the mid-1970s was named director of Grady's clinical laboratory. He retired in 2005.

In retirement, the Navy veteran dabbled in things he loved: gourmet cooking, fishing, gardening and sailing his boat, "Grady White."

Dr. Andrew N. Young, who was a resident at Grady when Dr. Vroon was there,  succeeded his mentor as director of the clinical lab.

"He had a way of leadership that proved as a model for me," Dr. Young said. "Throughout my time at Grady he had been available for consultation, and I have never hesitated to take him up on that."

Additional survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joyce Hulstein Vroon of Atlanta; another son, Brad Vroon of Nashville, Tenn.; a daughter, Valerie Raymond of Atlanta; two brothers,  Howard Vroon of Charleston, S.C. and John Vroon of Grand Rapids, Mich.; a sister, Elizabeth Vroon Sytsema of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and 10 grandchildren.