Frank Van Orden MD

1938 - 2024

Frank Van Orden, MD
09/21/1938 - 05/31/2024
Frank was born in Corsicana, Texas. He graduated from Rice University with a B.A. in chemistry and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. After completing his medical internship, he served as an Air Force doctor from 1965 to 1967 in Istanbul, Turkey, which inspired his lifelong love of Turkish food and culture. In 1968 he joined the AMA Volunteer Physicians for Vietnam program, treating civilian war casualties in South Vietnam.
Upon returning to the U.S., Frank settled in San Francisco and completed his residency and board certification in psychiatry. He met his beloved wife Carolyn in 1974, through mutual friends. They were married at Gaylord's restaurant at Ghirardelli square on a beautiful June day in 1978. They shared two children.
Frank practiced psychiatry for over 40 years, primarily at San Francisco State University Student Health Services, then at Cal State East Bay. He also maintained a small private practice and was an active, longtime volunteer at several local health organizations.
Frank had many passions and artistic endeavors: he was a talented photographer and woodworker, a home winemaker, a genealogy buff, an avid orchid grower, and an extensive world traveler. He designed and built a weekend home for his family near Healdsburg, CA. Frank was a doting husband, father and grandfather who loved classical music, museums, history, and telling off-color jokes. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Hoke-Van Orden; children Janice (Albert) Marshall, Vanessa Van Orden (Ryan Fischer), and Derek Van Orden; and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders.