P. Kirk Pandelidis

1927 - 2016

P. Kirk Pandelidis
York
Pandelis Kyriakos Pandelidis, MD, aka Kirk Pandelidis, has completed his mortal journey. We know it continues in the Kingdom of God. It began when he was born in Athens, Greece on Feb. 12, 1927. He continued an Odyssey started by his parents, Kyriakos and Eutychia Pandelidis, who were refugees from Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who fled persecution and emigrated to Greece in the early part of the last century. His story is not that of a Greek tragedy, but rather that of a Greek triumph ending in the accomplishment of the American dream. As opposed to a tragic flaw, he instead possessed a blessed trait: unadulterated ambition to make sure that he and his future American family would prosper.
He was the first in his family to attend high school. By virtue of his performance on a national exam at the age of eighteen, he was admitted to a 6 year program where he was awarded a college degree as well as a medical degree from the University of Athens, the premier medical school in Greece.
Soon thereafter, he served with distinction as a general medical officer in the Greek Army, which helped keep peace in a troubled country soon after a brutal civil war between the communists and those favoring democracy. The communists lost! Somehow he balanced those duties with a small private internal medicine practice in Athens.
Recognizing that opportunity lay across the Atlantic, he sought further medical training in the United States. He began his education as an intern in New Orleans at the Touro infirmary. He selected New Orleans, hoping a knowledge of French would help him as he continued to perfect his English skills. Somehow, word got out that there was an eligible Greek doctor newly arrived in America, and through a network of Greek-Americans, he was introduced to a full-blooded first generation lovely Greek-American from York, Pa., Angela Langadinos, a pharmacist who would ultimately become his wife for nearly 60 years. Once married, Angela was at his side helping navigate in his new country as he completed a Psychiatry residency in Taunton, Massachusetts, and at the Middlebury State Hospital in Connecticut as well as additional fellowship training at Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He excelled academically, publishing papers in national professional journals. He was offered a job as an Associate Professor at West Virginia University, but thought he could do more good as a community Psychiatrist in Angela's hometown. Knowing that success was the only option, he moved to York, and thanks to the encouragement of Angie and her father, he did not hesitate to buy the building at 826 S. George St.. The third floor was rented for additional income. The family lived on the second floor, and his private practice office was on the first floor.
All the while, he started a family, and they all survive him as does Angela. Both parents set an example of hard work, scholarship, and faith. The eldest son Nicholas, married to Lisa, is a spinal orthopedic surgeon in York. His daughter Joyce St. John, an engineer married to James, lives nearby in Hershey, Pa. Son Steven, married to Juliann, is a cancer surgeon at York Hospital, and the second daughter, Kathy Granbois, a lawyer, married to Michael, lives in nearby Lancaster, Pa. The proximity of his children to Kirk and Angie is a testimony to their love and respect for both parents. Not only did the first generation of the Pandelidis clan continue the tradition of higher education set by Kirk, but so does the third as there are already doctors, medical students, architects, corporate professionals and engineers in the mix. All of his children are faithful Greek Orthodox Christians as are his 13 grandchildren. In his last month of life, Kirk was lucky enough to see his first great-grandchildren, Penelope and Gabriel, twin children of Nick's second daughter, Thea. He also is survived by an unofficial third daughter, his niece, Eleanore Hajian, who resides in Washington, DC.
Professionally, PK, as he was known, prospered for five decades. He loved his profession so that he practiced into his eighties. He was the medical director of the York County Mental Health Center. He was chairman of York Hospital Dept. of Psychiatry for 25 years. He was the founder of the Delphic Medical Center where he saw patients often until 10 p.m. The name selected for his private office was no accident. He wanted to help erase the stigma associated with mental health disease, and he also wanted to give tribute to his Greek heritage. He served as President of the York County Medical Society, and he held many leadership roles in his professional societies.
He applied as much passion to his Church and family as he did to his profession. He was the Choir director for 40 years, only retiring when he could not stand long enough to direct. He convinced his daughter to be the organist at age 11. Sunday was for church, not football. Together with other visionary Greeks, he directed the building of the beautiful Greek Orthodox Church replete with Byzantine Iconography on Pine Grove Lane.
His friends and family will cherish his memory which will be eternal!
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Pine Grove Road, York. Viewing will be from noon until 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church Cemetery. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, York, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, PA 17403; or to St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church, 2397 N. Sherman St., York, PA 17406.
Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com