Dr. Mathis Frick

Dr. Mathis Frick passed away on December 25, 2025. He was born to the late Willi and Elsbeth Frick in Zurich Switzerland, on February 4, 1944.

Matt received his medical degree from the University of Zurich and completed his radiology residency in Berne, Switzerland. He came to the United States in 1974 and completed a US residency in radiology and fellowship in nuclear medicine at the University of Minnesota. He then became a faculty member of the Department of Radiology at the University and remained there until 1985. At that time, he was appointed as Chairman and Professor, with tenure, at Creighton University. While at Creighton, he, along with others in nuclear medicine, developed the first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Center in the United States. He remained Chair at Creighton until 1992. In October 1992, he became Chairman and Professor of Radiology, with tenure, at West Virginia University, a position he would hold until February 2025. He was then appointed and served as a Special Advisor to WVU School of Medicine Chancellor’s Office and the Department of Radiology, until his death. He was instrumental in developing the Center for Advanced Imaging (CAI) at WVU, which supports radiology research, PET and MRI. The CAI has brought in millions of research dollars to the School of Medicine since its’ inception. The department grew in many ways during his tenure as Chairman including acquiring state-of-the-art imaging equipment, focusing on hiring specialty radiologists, continued research grant monies and an expansion in every aspect of the department.

He had more than 120 publications and mentored hundreds of radiology residents, fellows and faculty during his time on medical school faculties. Matt served as a leader in many national and international professional societies and was an invited speaker to numerous conferences. He had an easy-going administrative style – preferring to allow his faculty and administrative leaders to lead with minimal intervention from his office. In addition to mentoring faculty, he also mentored numerous radiology leaders, both clinical and administrative. His time at WVU saw the Department of Radiology grow from 9 radiologists to over 60. Initially, the department provided radiology coverage to Ruby Memorial Hospital and outpatient clinics, but under Matt’s leadership, expanded to currently serve dozens of West Virginia United Health System hospitals.

Matt had a passion for vintage cars, motorcycles, physical fitness and travel. He traveled to dozens of countries through the years but was always happy to return to West Virginia. He was known to tell new faculty that West Virginia, and Morgantown in particular, was a hidden gem in the US and he would recommend it over any other place he had lived or visited.

Matt is survived by his beloved wife, Lijuan Zhao Frick, whom he married in 2003. He had five daughters: Kristina Wallace, Andrea Pryor, and Stefanie Frick of Pittsburgh, PA, Claudia Frick Cardenas of Phoenix, AZ and Rebecca Caldwell and her husband Reed, of Rockville, MD, and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Andres’ Frick and Dr. Thomas Frick of Switzerland and his former wife, Annemarie Frick of Pittsburgh, PA.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, January 18, at 2 p.m. at the WVU Health Sciences Center Pylons in Morgantown.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com