Donald Barbachym

Dr. Donald "Doc" R. Barbachym passed away peacefully at Heather Hills on August 30, 2017 in Grand Rapids at the age of 84, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's. Donald was born on November 4, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MI. Doc graduated from Catholic Central. He attended Ferris State and received a degree in pharmacy in 1955. His love for medicine took him to Medical school at Chicago Midwestern School of Medicine. There he received his D.O. in 1959 with a concentration in Internal Medicine. His Post-Graduate was in Internal/Pulmonary Medicine in Boston, MA. In 1960 Donald joined as a staff member at Metropolitan Osteopathic Hospital in Grand Rapids. He then did a fellowship in Internal/Pulmonary Medicine. With a passion for medicine and his curiosity for upgrading patient tools, it led him to find and own Airway Oxygen, giving people who needed oxygen to travel with a portable oxygen tank. Doc was also founder of Grand Rapids Osteopathic Chief Ventilation Dependent Unit. Believing that wellness is better than treating an illness, he was the Founder of Programs Wellness, he organized clinical teams to begin classes for corporations. His first Pioneer pilot program began at Steelcase. Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Helen Biedrycki-Barbachym & Peter Barbachym. He is survived by his wife, Janice Marvin; friend and former wife, Jodi Barbachym; his children, Molly Barbachym, of Atlanta, GA, Amy Barbachym, of Cincinnati, OH and NIcholas Barbachym, of Grand Rapids, MI; as well as 10 step-children; and 16 grandchildren. A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at St. Robert of Newminister Parish, 6477 Ada Dr. S.E., Ada, where visitation will start at 10:30 a.m. and a luncheon will follow the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Barbachym, please visit our flower store.