Obituaries

Dr. Victor M. Bove, 94

November 10, 2018

Dr. Victor M. Bove died on November 10, 2018, at the age of 94. Born in Bethlehem, PA on May 7, 1924, he was the son of Michael and Clara (Parretta) Bove. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice Zaharchuk Bove, son V. Michael husband of Suzanne Sandor Bove, grandson Alexander Michael Bove all of Wrentham, MA as well as two sisters, Gloria and Olga Bove of Bethlehem. His youngest sister, Clara Tevald also of Bethlehem, preceded him in death.
He completed Liberty high School in 1942 and worked for a short time at the Bethlehem Steel Company before joining the Army in May 1943. After completing infantry basic training, he was transferred to the Army Specialized Training Program which sent him to Arkansas State College and Rhode Island State College to earn a college degree in engineering. After two semesters the Army discontinued the engineering program and asked him to participate in the ASTP for doctors. However, he felt he should return to the infantry since many of his friends were already serving in combat.
He served in the European theater and saw combat as an infantry squad leader in the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged as a staff sergeant in February 1946 and received eleven awards including the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.
After leaving the Army he attended Moravian College, Millersville State College and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, earning a BS in Education from
Millersville State and his doctorate from PCOM. He then served a one-year rotating internship and a three-year residency in general surgery at Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital. He went on to complete postgraduate studies at a number of hospitals in the states, Mexico and Europe including the University of Vienna Hospital in Austria. He later attended Saint Joseph Hospital of Maine where he earned a Master in Health Services Administration degree.
Bove performed surgery at several hospitals in the Miami, FL area as well as in Cape Girardeau, MO and Lancaster, PA. Because of back problems he discontinued
performing surgery and changed to psychiatry. He served as a staff psychiatrist at the VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA. When the administration refused to discuss problems with the doctors, he started the first doctor’s union there which caused the administration to deal with these problems. He served as the union president until he left in 1973 to become the Medical Director and Director of Medical Education at Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital. He also served as acting Chief Executive Officer of that hospital when the hospital was left without one on two occasions. In 1980 he left to become the Vice President for Medical Affairs at Memorial Hospital in Union, NJ. Accepting an offer to return to Pennsylvania in 1981 he became Chief of Clinical Services at Wernersville State Hospital where he remained until 1994. After retiring from Wernersville State Hospital he took a part time position as Medical Director at the Family Guidance Center and Berks Counseling Center in Reading, PA. He retired in 2003 because he got tired of fighting the HMOs which did not always keep their promises to the patients or doctors. He was appointed to the Adjunct Faculty of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and helped train students, interns and residents. He received an award in appreciation of his service to his profession and community from the Lancaster County Osteopathic Association and a scholarship in his honor was awarded to a medical student by the Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation.
He served as a medical staff officer in a number of hospitals and was the Chief of Staff and the Chief of Surgery in many of them and served on the board of trustees as well. He was also active in many medical organizations and was an officer and board member of most of them. He served several terms as president of the Lancaster County Osteopathic Medical Society. He was also the leader of American Osteopathic Association teams which checked hospitals for compliance with its standards of care and its standards for the internship and residency training programs. He was certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice, the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Physicians, the American Board of Medical Management and the Certifying Commission in Medical Management. He was made a Fellow of the American College
of Osteopathic Family Physicians and of the American College of Medical Quality as well as a Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Physician Executives.
In 1972 he joined the Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel and soon became a full colonel. He served as an Army physician both in the states and in Europe. He was the commander of the 99th Combat Support Hospital in Lancaster. He earned a number of letters of commendation and twelve more medals including two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, two Army Leadership Medals, the Army Component Achievement Medal and the Army Expert Field Medic Badge. He was a member of a number of military organizations and served several terms as president of the Lancaster chapters of the Reserve Officers Association and the Military Officers Association of America as well as president of the Southcentral Pennsylvania Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He retired from the Army in 1994.
In 1984 he was presented the Distinguished Service Award by Millersville University and in 1996 the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award by Saint Joseph’s College of
Maine. In 2005 he was included in the Millersville University book celebrating its 150th anniversary and featuring its 150 alumni who made “a significant contribution to Millersville University and the community at large.” He became a fourth-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus in 2012 and in 2015 he was honored with a
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Knights of Columbus.
He published many professional and nonprofessional articles and short stories and won first prize for one of his short stories. He served as guest editor for three issues of Osteopathic Annals and served as a consultant for several professional journals. He also won awards for providing cartoons and medical tips to professional journals.
Bove was active in community affairs. Over the years he served as team physician for Little League teams and was active in Cub Scout Pack #86 serving several terms as its president. He served on the Professional Education Committee of the Lancaster County Unit of the American Cancer Society, the Lancaster County Medicolegal
Committee, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Welsh Mountain Medical Center, the McCaskey High School Advisory Committee, the Blue Cross Advisory Committee, the Millersville University Advisory Council, and the Advisory Council of the City of Lancaster. He was a Merit Badge examiner for the Boy Scouts and he served on the
Executive Board of the Lancaster-Lebanon Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He volunteered for the Lancaster County Office of Aging, performed health screening for the children of Lancaster and participated in the World War II programs for the Lancaster School District elementary schools as well as for Millersville University.
He enjoyed his many hobbies and especially loved performing home repairs. He also enjoyed participating in the Senior Games where he earned dozens of medals. He enjoyed keeping busy. He could analyze just about any problem and he could almost always solve it. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church.
There will be a funeral service on Saturday, November 17 at 10:00am at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. The family will receive guests from 9:30am until the time of service at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839 or by visiting: redcross.org/donate/donation.

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Condolences to the Family

June 16, 2019

Mrs. Bove – I was looking for some of my dad’s papers and found out that your husband had recently passed. Wanted to let you know that I have many fond memories of the time our families spent together in association activities. You were always so gracious. My parents have been gone for many years now, dad died in 1990 and mother in 2005, but their friends will always hold a special place in my heart. Ginger Grilli, Al and Ginny’s daughter, Salem, OH

January 11, 2019

Dear Alice, I just learned of Vic’s passing. What a great man he was. Ellen and I fondly remember the POMA banquets and the pleasure of his and your company. He was a wonderful example of what an osteopathic physician should be. Moreover, he was a shining example of a good human. We will miss him and extend our best to you and your family.

November 20, 2018

Dear Alice,
Sorry to hear of Victor`s passing.  It was a real honor having known him.  Sorry we could not attend  his
service, but we have health problems.  Geting old sucks.  Our thoughts have  been with you.   The Prices —-       Al and Beverly.

November 19, 2018

Dear Alice and Michael and family,
I was sad to read the obituary for Victor. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May time bring you peace. Treasure all the memories for no one can take them from you !! Kathleen Kuzmiak

November 17, 2018

Dear Mrs. Bove,
I just saw that today 11/17 is the funeral for your dear husband. Asking God to grant you and your family peace and comfort.
Much love,
Ramona

November 16, 2018

It is with regret that I heard the news of Dr. Bove’s passing.  He served as my boss for many years at Wernersville State Hospital.  He was a fair leader and was an advocate for the medical staff. He never  shyed away from a challange.  My deepest condolences. He will be in my prayers.
Phyllis A. Murr, M.D.  Chief of Medicine, Wernersville State Hospital

November 14, 2018

It was a great honor to know Dr. Bove.  While I was not fully aware of the extent of his great service in both military and civilian life, and his many lifelong contributions to society and humanity, I was aware of his active work and social life, even in his later years.  I had the honor to care for his dental health, and always found him receptive and agreeable. I has been my honor to care for a man of such great discrimination.  His warm humor and friendly manner was sincere and refreshing.

November 14, 2018

Dear Alice,
I am saddened to learn of your loss of Victor and send my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. (Jane Pelland, Charleston, SC)

November 13, 2018

I served under your father at the 99th Combat Hospital. I knew him and he had my respect. He was a most honorable man and it is my privledge to have served under him. My conolences to the entire family. Your loss is the world’s loss.
Tim Kauffman,
PhD, PT, APTA, FGSA
LTC, US Army Retired

November 13, 2018

So sorrow for your loss Alice.
Love,
Kathleen and Jim Farrell

November 13, 2018

My heart felt prayers are with you and your family at your time of loss, for I too know what it’s like to lose someone very near and dear. Your Friend and old Neighbor,

Visitation
Saturday, November 17, 2018
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
414 East King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
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Services
Saturday, November 17, 2018
10:00 AM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
414 East King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Map and Directions

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