H. Richard Hellstrom

H. Richard Hellstrom, MD, 91, of Fayetteville passed away October 19, 2019 following surgery in the Upstate Medical Center. The son of his late parents Evertt A. and Rhoda (nee Kempfer) Hellstrom, he was born on March 22, 1928 in Marianna, Pennsylvania. In 1949, he received his under graduate degree from Waynesburg College followed by a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952.
His professioanl career began at the VA Hospital in Pittssburgh, Pa. in 1953. He joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical School as an associate professor in 1966. In February 1979 Dr. Hellstrom accepted an appointment in the College of Medicine as a Professor in the Department of Pathology of the Upstate Medical Center and Chief of Laboratory Service at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse NY. He held these positions until he retried in 1998.
In April of 1998 he was appointed Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology at the SUNY Health Science Center. His contributions to professional journals included the Journal of Clinical Pathology, College of American Pathology, American Heart Association, and International Academy of Pathology. Dr. Hellstrom holds several patents in the medical field.
Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling both at home and abroad. His great pleasures were opera and the symphony. Dr. Hellstrom was a supporter of the Syracuse Symphony and Syracuse Opera as well as Cooperstown's Glimmerglass Opera.
Dr Hellstrom is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Martha (nee Montag) Hellstrom. He was predeceased by his brother Eric and wife, Aldene (Fox) and their son, Robert. Surviving are nieces, Sherry (James) Sanford of Las Vegas, NV and Barbara Martin of McHenry, IL; Cousins Donald (Thelma) Kempfer of Broadview Heights, OH, David (Bonnie) Wagner of Alliance, OH, Richard (Judith) Wagner of North Bend, OR, Charles (Evelyn) Kempfer of Riner, VA, Jeffrey (Wendy) Kempfer of Gaylord, MI, Lisa Kempfer of Broadview Heights, OH, Katherine (Tyler) Baker of Fairfield, PA, Sarah Kempfer of Middleburg, IN, Matthew Kempfer of Gaylord, MI, Todd (Cammi) Wagner of Hamptom Falls, NH, Kari Wagner of Columbia, SC, Michael Wagner of Alliance, OH, Becky (Jamie) Roller of Alliance, OH.
A private family service was held. Contributions may be made in his memory to Waynesburg College, 51 West College St. Waynesburg, Pa. 15370 or www.waynesburg.edu/giving.