In memoriam: Dr. Edward Frank Meydrech

Dr. Edward Frank Meydrech, former chief of biostatistics and chair of preventive medicine at UMMC, died Oct. 30. He was 77.

A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Meydrech graduated from Apopka High School in Apopka, Florida, where he was class president. He earned his Bachelor of Statistics in 1965 and his Master's of Statistics in 1967 at the University of Florida. He served in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps from 1967-69, then earned his Ph.D. in 1972 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Meydrech joined the Virginia Commonwealth University faculty in 1972 as an assistant professor of biometry. In 1976, he joined the UMMC faculty as an assistant professor of preventive medicine and was promoted to an associate professor and, ultimately, professor of preventive medicine, chief of biostatistics and chair of preventive medicine. Tenured in 1982, he coauthored more than 75 scientific papers and participated in 11 research grants. 

An outdoor memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Grace Episcopal Church in Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to glioblastomafoundation.org or to Grace Episcopal Church, 161 E. Peace Street, Canton, MS 39046.