Dr. Paul F. Engstrom
Dr. Paul F. Engstrom
May 28, 1936 – December 26, 2025
Dr. Paul F. Engstrom, a dedicated physician and pioneering oncologist, passed away on December 26, 2025. He was 89.
Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on May 28, 1936, Paul was the middle son of the town’s only physician in Belgrade, Minnesota. A talented student-athlete and musician, he played football, basketball, and track, played trombone in the school band, and sang in the chorus. He graduated from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
While moonlighting at Deaconess Hospital during medical school, Paul spotted a photo of a graduating nursing class on a dining hall wall. One student, Janet Johnson, caught his eye. As fate would have it, they met professionally in the ICU when Janet, the nurse on duty, stepped in to help him successfully start an IV. They married on October 21, 1961.
Dr. Engstrom’s medical career was interrupted by the Vietnam War. Drafted in 1967, he served three years at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii caring for active-duty personnel and veterans evacuated from Vietnam. Rising to the rank of Major, he was the only trained hematologist/oncologist and led efforts to care for cancer patients at Tripler Hospital.
In 1970, Dr. Engstrom joined Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where he built a lasting legacy. He became a true pioneer in the field of cancer prevention, establishing one of the nation’s first cancer prevention and control programs. He championed the idea that oncology should focus on stopping cancer before it starts, leading initiatives to bring screenings to underserved communities. A leader on the national stage, he served on the boards of the National Cancer Institute and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Outside of medicine, Paul was a man of deep faith and community. He was an active member of Christ’s Lutheran Church in Oreland, PA, where he returned to his musical roots by singing in the choir. A devoted family man, he cherished every moment spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. In his leisure time, he found joy in gardening, reading and traveling, and was a passionate supporter of Philadelphia sports, especially the Eagles.
Dr. Engstrom is survived by his devoted wife, Janet; his children, Karin (Tim) Davis, David (Shruti) Engstrom, and Maria (Tark) Pharr; his eight grandchildren, Emily and Peter Davis, Alex, Cameron and Trevor Pharr, Ben, Anjali and Noah Engstrom; and his brother Rolf Engstrom.
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Engstrom will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 700 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Oreland, PA 19075. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the service will follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Fox Chase Cancer Center and mailed to 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 or made online at donate.foxchase.org/give. Memorial gifts may also be made to Christ’s Lutheran Church and mailed to the address above or made online at www.christs-oreland.org.
