Martin Vancil, M.D. passed away peacefully in April at the age of 87.

Martin was born in 1937 in Kansas. From an early age, he dreamed of making a difference in the world, and ambitiously pursued this goal throughout his life, earning numerous awards and accolades along the way.  In high school, he lettered in several sports, and he served in various school leadership positions in both high school and college. Martin loved helping people and was a healer at heart. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a physician, graduating from University of Kansas School of Medicine. During his medical internship in New Orleans, he met his beautiful wife, Peggy. Martin served in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain while participating in classified research. After discharge, he completed his medical residency in Colorado, followed by many years in pharmaceutical research. He considered entering the field of transplant surgery and studied under a renowned leader in the field, but ultimately decided he wanted to treat the whole person and therefore entered the field of family practice. He opened his private family practice in Gilroy, where he worked with his wife Peggy, R.N. until they retired.

Martin loved healing the complete person and considered his patients a beloved second family. He truly enjoyed getting to know them and valued each person who came under his care. He served them not only as a doctor, but as a counselor. He was known as a great listener and one who offered thoughtful wisdom. He took care of all ages including entire families, with gratitude in his heart, working alongside his wife Peggy, a true healing team.

Martin had a great love of life, a strong faith, and an insatiable intellectual curiosity.  He always enjoyed a robust intellectual conversation and especially appreciated learning how science proved his faith. He also had a great love of singing, singing in church choirs and winning a state singing championship as a youth with his rich, deep voice. He could have pursued a successful career as a singer, but his love of healing people led him on the path to becoming a physician instead.

In his later years, a highlight of his time was a weekly, vibrant Bible study whose members became his treasured friends.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and cherished community member. The family had a saying, "Pa, we can't take you anywhere," because he would inevitably encounter one of his former patients or one of his many friends. He never met a stranger. Those who knew him will remember his common phrases: when asked how he was doing, regardless of how he was feeling, he would reply, "Better than I deserve, thank God!". When departing from someone's presence, he would affirm them by saying, "Carry on in your usual sterling manner!"

Martin will be remembered for his kindness, gentleness, compassion, warmth, patience, intellect, and beautiful singing voice. Now he is singing in heaven.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, older brother, and younger sister. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy; children John, Julia (Dave), and Amy; and grandson Elliot (Isabella).

Public memorial service will be held on Friday, June 6 at 10:30am at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy, 8095 Kelton Dr.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Martin's name to Mercy Ships International mercyships.org

The family wishes to thank the wonderful pastors and staff of South Valley Community Church for their attentiveness to Martin in both life and after he passed into glory.