Dr. Vasil Truchly, MD

Dr. Vasil Truchly, M.D., 99, of Chicago. Beloved husband of Lida nee Terkun. Dearest brother of the late Dr. Geroge Truchly of New York. Fond brother-in-law of Walter (Helen) Terkun, and Victor (Bonnie) Terkun. Loved by many nieces and nephews.

Vasil Truchly is best characterized as a man with two passions. The first of these is medicine, he is a physician whose work ranges from educational training videos for the profession, to serving as president of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America. He chaired the scientific program of the World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Associations held for the first time in Ukraine in 1990. At Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Dr. Truchly chaired and served on many of its committees, and for years served on the V.R. committee of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has been active in both lecturing and teaching demonstrations of his skills throughout the United States and Ukraine, earning him a multitude of thanks and awards.

Dr. Truchly’s interest in a wide range of Ukrainian arts is well known and he has served in many positions, including as President of Ukrainian Institute of Modern Arts in Chicago. But it is music that is his second true passion, and he is especially renowned for his ability as a choral director, working to popularize both Ukrainian secular and sacred choral arts in America. In 1978, he became the artistic director of the choir Surma, which became known for its carefully chosen repertoire and its careful attention to dynamics and delicate harmonizations. Also, as choir director of St. Andrew Ukrainian Church in Bloomingdale, Illinois, he built a well-known choir that performed at Notre Dame University, Indiana and the Holy Name Catholic Cathedral, Chicago in honor of the Millenium of Ukrainian Christianity, as well as in S. Bound Brook, New Jersey at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church center where a standing room only audience from around the nation rose to a lengthy standing ovation.

Dr. Truchly has also been active compiler and editor of Ukrainian choral music. He has published the Professor Ivan Truchly Collection and Divine Liturgy in abridged form. A recent work was a hardcover edition of Litiya, Panakhyda, Parastas and Funeral of the Kyivan Chamber Choir in a concert in memory of aurtho’s father, Ivan Truchly at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. This concert was recorded for posterity on CD and is the newest addition to a number of recordings under the baton of Dr. Truchly.

Visitation Friday, April 11, 4:00 p.m. until time of Panachyda, 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 300 E. Army Trail Road, Bloomindale. Funeral Service on Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral or Ukrainian American Veteran's Memorial in Dr. Truchly's memory greatly appreciated.