Christian Van Den Heuvel

Dr. Christian Van Den Heuvel, MD, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Boca Raton, Florida on August 8, 2026 in the company of his loving family. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Born January 7, 1933 in Garfield, New Jersey, Christian (lovingly referred to as Popsi by his grandchildren and Dr. Van by his patients) graduated from New York University in 1955 and Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1959. He was a veteran having served in the Air Force National Guard.

Christian aka Popsi aka Dr. Van was an incredible man, a “beautiful and kind soul,” the best husband/father/grandfather, an amazing doctor, phenomenal role model, and blessing to anyone whose lives he touched. At a young age, he decided to be a physician because he cared about people and wanted to help them. And that is exactly what he did. He was that rare breed of doctor who made house calls and who stayed later or arrived earlier because someone was sick or injured and needed to be seen now (not in a week or two when an appointment opened up). He started practicing at a time when the General Practitioner was the family doctor who did everything. He delivered more than 500 babies, set broken bones, and assisted in surgeries because his patients refused to have one without him present. He made diagnoses the specialists couldn’t figure out and all without Google. This is perhaps best reflected when he had a surgery of his own several years ago. When he came out of anesthesia, his first words said it all, “I love my patients.” Each of his children, and grandchildren, fulfilled their professional aspirations geared toward helping others because he was their role model.

Left behind to cherish his memory are: his wife of 72 years (Elizabeth Van Den Heuvel), his children (Karen Fischer, Robin Fenton and her husband Bill, Christian Van Den Heuvel, Jr. and his wife Monica), his grandchildren (Victoria Elizabeth Fischer and her husband Robert Hammack, J.C. Fischer and his wife Priscilla Jane, Elizabeth Fenton, Jacqueline Fenton), and his faithful companion (Gucci).

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joan of Arc in Boca Raton, FL on October 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The family invites all who knew him to attend and celebrate his life.

• Professional arrangements are entrusted to:

• Gary Panoch Funeral Home, 6140 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487, 561-997-8580

• www.gpanochfunerals.com

• easyonlinecremations.com