A fire took Dr. Frederick Roever’s life, but a fiery passion to help others is how he’ll be remembered, many who knew him said Friday.
“He always praised Greek culture and history and wanted to be buried among the Greeks of Tarpon Springs. He cared for my parents for years – 3 hr. long office visits, night time, weekends. Such devotion. Great Christian. ”
said Paulette Keffas-Chassin.
Dr. Roever served thousands of Greeks for decades, 7 days a week doing house calls and working with Philoptochos.
Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris has known Roever for 30 years and lives on the same street.
“He was a very giving individual,” Billiris said. “This is one of the biggest tragedies our city can experience in losing him in such a way.”
Fire gutted the million-dollar home at 1304 Belcher Drive, where Dr. Roever, 69, and his wife Patricia, 60, lived alone, authorities said.
Mrs. Roever was able to escape the flames and call 911 at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday to report a mattress fire. Police and firefighters arrived to find the house in flames and her outside, but Dr. Roever was missing. Later a body was found on the second floor.
Dr. Roever was passionate about giving back to his Country, peers in the Medical field and to his community in which he lived. He was a Captain in the United States Army after being drafted into the Vietnam War almost immediately after completing his Internship year in Medicine in 1967. In 1969 he would return to finish his Residency training which he completed in 1972. Dr. Roever was a decorated Veteran earning the following Prestigious Awards: Bronze Star, Air Medical, Combat Medical Badge, Vietnamese Honor Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Civic Action Medal (Vietnamese), The Cross of Galantry and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Two Battle Stars.
He was a leader in all aspects of life. He served his community and was highly respected by his neighbors. Dr. Roever was a co-founder for Physicians to Free Clinics in Pasco County, Physician for Special Olympics and one of the co-founders of the War Memorial of Tarpon Springs, Fl. Additionally, he served as the City of Tarpon Springs Police Surgeon, and Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee for the Tarpon Springs Fundamental School.
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