Former St. Francis president dies

John Fidler, St. Francis Medical Center's president and chief executive officer from 1992 to 1997, died of a heart attack Saturday while vacationing with his wife in Nice, France. He was 66.

"John was a very caring individual," said St. Francis board member Robert Hendrix, who served as the board's chairman while Fidler was president. "He cared a lot about the hospital and the patients."

Fidler was born in Cambridge, Neb., and grew up and attended college in Spearfish, N.D. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Blackhills State University, a master's degree in microbiology from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from the University of Florida.

Before coming to Cape Girardeau, Fidler was chief executive officer of Daniel Freeman Hospitals Inc. in Inglewood, Calif., from 1989 to 1991. From 1983 to 1989, he served as president and chief executive officer of St. Mary's Medical Center Inc. in West Palm Beach, Fla.

After his stay in Cape Girardeau, Fidler moved to California with his wife, Peggy, and their daughter, Christina. At the time of his death, Fidler was residing in Lancaster, Calif.

A funeral will be held at McCook United Methodist Church in McCook, Neb.

"He was wonderful," said sister-in-law Jane Jones. "He's going to be sorely missed."