Philanthropy Spotlight

Lifelong Research Chemist Supported Innovative Urology Investigations

Dick Vitek had kidney cancer. But, he much preferred that his conversations with his UCI Health urologist, Dr. Jaime Landman, address the latest discoveries in kidney care.

“As much as I wanted to talk to him about his care, he always wanted to talk about our research and laboratory work and share his own,” said Landman.

Vitek was an inveterate scientist; a chemist who dedicated his life to discovering and sharing new ideas to benefit others.

His fascination with the unknown and untried led to his involvement in everything from developing solid oxidizers for rockets to identifying a method of testing arsenic levels in wine.

As an entrepreneur, he founded three companies, including Fotodyne, a Hartland, WI device manufacturer recognized for introducing the first molecular imaging device for DNA analysis.

In May 2000, Vitek was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The tumor was removed and he went about his life. When the cancer returned in 2011, Vitek’s physician suggested he talk with Dr. Landman, who, today, chairs the UCI Department of Urology. Dr. Landman recalls an early conversation.

“As a typical part of our first visit I inquired as to his profession to establish if he had any known chemical exposures, and Dick mentioned that he was a chemist and that subsequently he spent most of his time in business development. It was immediately clear that Dick had the heart, vision and perspective of a scientist,” Landman said.

Landman treated Vitek’s tumor with cryoablation, a minimally invasive procedure that creates an ice ball around the tumor, which destroys it.

During follow-up visits, Vitek’s conversations would invariably gravitate toward research.

“Each time we talked about research….there was an excitement in Dick’s voice and you could see an enthusiasm and sparkle in his eyes—the type of enthusiasm typically only found in curious children as they explore the wonders of the world.” said Landman. “Dick clearly had a lifelong love of learning, and maintained the verve of the true innovator.”

Vitek also came to know Landman’s Urology Department colleague, Dr. Ralph Clayman, who at the time was dean of the UCI School of Medicine. The two enjoyed many conversations about UCI’s medical research.

“In Dick, it was clear to me that here was a genuine, kind, incredibly sharp, humble individual who had a burning desire to use the abilities with which he was blessed to truly make a difference in this world in both large and small ways,” said Clayman. “To be sure, he succeeded.”

When Vitek’s cancer returned for the third time in 2018, he and his wife, Marilyn, were living in Florida.

“Dr. Landman was always so helpful,” said Marilyn. “Anytime something came up, Dick would call him and pick his brain. His doctor would sometimes call, too.”

Vitek decided that this was the time to make a philanthropic contribution that would help Landman and Clayman pursue the research they had discussed so often--innovations such as 3-D printers that produce kidneys or virtual reality experiences that give surgeons a 3-D look at a patient’s anatomy as they prepare to surgically remove kidney stones or kidney tumors.

“He wanted to make a gift because of the help he received from Dr. Landman and Dr. Clayman and I agreed,” said Marilyn. “He was always thinking of somebody else. That’s just who he was.” Sadly, Dick Vitek lost his battle with kidney cancer in May 2019 at the age of 84.

“He fought the good fight,” said Marilyn. “When you have a good medical team, that’s really important. They gave my husband several years of good health.”

During those years, Dr. Landman and Dr. Clayman continued to share progress in their research. Dick Vitek’s legacy continues to impact health through that research in which he was so very much interested.