Fredrick Steven Vihlen

Obituary of Dr. Fredrick Vihlen Dr. Fredrick Steven Vihlen of Leesburg, Florida, unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, of natural causes. Born to Frederick and Norma Vihlen in Miami, Florida, on April 22nd, 1952, "Ricky" grew up in Homestead, Florida where he graduated from South Dade High School, Class of 1970. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors in Chemistry and went onto optometry school at University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) where he received a Masters in Physiological Optics and a Doctorate of Optometry. He started his career as an optometrist in Selma, Alabama and then moved with his beloved wife Terry and three young children to Leesburg, Florida in 1985. He resided with his family in Leesburg until his parting. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and helped chair its medical mission to Jamaica for almost a decade. He was known for his extremely kind heart, brutal honesty and ability to make every person whom he came into contact with feel loved and welcomed. He never met a stranger and constantly strived to be an example of honesty and integrity for his family and community. His passions included his family, his profession, tennis, perfecting his golf game, picking up litter every day on his way to work, his yearly symposiums at Whitewater Creek, Alabama, and the Jamaica medical mission. He was a beloved son, brother, father, doctor, husband and Pop and brightened the lives of everyone around him on a daily basis. Ricky is survived by his wife of 42 years, Terry, and his three children: Emily (husband Andy; children Henry and Clara), Andrew (wife Stephanie; children Landon and Harper) and Audrey (husband Scott; daughter Sadie) whom he loved and cherished until his final breath. He is also survived by his mother Norma, brothers Eric (wife Sally; children Beth, Eric and Christopher), Bobby (wife Carolyn; children Amanda and Carrie), David (children Catie, Brian and John) and sister Jane (husband Shawn), as well as countless other family members and treasured friends. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten by the countless lives he touched through optometry and personal friendships. The funeral service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg, Florida, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2016. All are welcome for a celebration of life at the Leesburg Boat Club following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the St. James Jamaica medical mission.

Fredrick Steven Vihlen

April 22, 1952 - November 22, 2016