Dr. John Norman Vrtiska, MD

Dr. John Norman Vrtiska, lovingly known as “Dr. V,” “Dr. John,” and most cherished as “Papa,” passed away on April 25, 2026, in Blacklick, Ohio, at the age of 77. Born in Beatrice, Nebraska, he moved with his family to Bloom, Kansas at age five and later to Minneola, Kansas, where he grew up.

John earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his OB/GYN training at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center in Phoenix under the mentorship of Dr. Raymond Jennett.

He dedicated more than 30 years to the field of obstetrics and gynecology, proudly sharing that he delivered more than 6,000 babies over the course of his career. After his training, he moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he practiced at Thomas Davis Clinic and played a central role in the establishment of the Birth & Women’s Health Center—the first of its kind in Tucson and a model for similar centers across the country. A strong advocate for collaborative care, he worked closely with certified nurse midwives and helped expand access to compassionate, high-quality maternal care.

Later in his career, John returned to his roots in Southwestern Kansas, where he continued caring for patients and promoting women’s health as a gynecologic practitioner and surgeon. Throughout his life, he was known as a highly qualified, fair, kind, and good-humored physician, respected deeply by his patients, colleagues, and community.

Outside of medicine, John was a passionate and loyal sports fan. He cheered on the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and Arizona Diamondbacks, and he never lost his love for college athletics. A devoted supporter of Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, and especially the University of Arizona Wildcats, he was a proud season ticket holder for both basketball and football during his years in Tucson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Norma Vrtiska, and his siblings, Greg Vrtiska, Cindy Seidner, and Lisa Hoffman.

Above all, John’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bobbi, whom he married in July 1984 and loved deeply throughout their life together; his children, Alison Alvidrez (Jerry), Jeff Vrtiska (Ambrosia), Emily Vrtiska (Clay VanOrd), and Josef Vrtiska (Christina Holmes); and his cherished grandchildren, Ciara, Savana, Justin, and Coltin Alvidrez; Kassidy Howell (Cory); and Anthony Holmes. He also leaves behind the joyful anticipation of his first great-grandchild, arriving in November.

He is also survived by Jan Ripberger (Rick), mother of Alison and Jeff, and his brothers, Jim Vrtiska (Kathy) and Dave Larsen (Karen). Meghan Tarpley (Justin) and their children. As well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

John’s Christian faith was an important part of his life and guided the way he cared for others. To those who knew him best, his greatest title was “Papa.” He carried a deep belief in treating every person with kindness and respect—a value he lived out daily in both his personal and professional life. He wrote,

“Treat everyone equally… Young or old, man or woman, disabled or well, white or black, Christian or Jew or Muslim, American or Mexican, overweight or anorexic, disfigured or beautiful. No one is perfect, least of all me, but I hope by example I have shown how important it is to give everyone the dignity and respect they deserve.”

A celebration of John’s life will be held in Tucson this November. Further details will be shared at a later date.

His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he helped bring into the world, the families he supported, and the compassion he showed to everyone he met.