Dr. Herschel L. Voorhees III (’75, ’82 M.S.), 73, a lifelong Denton resident and former executive director of clinical services at UNT’s Student Health and Wellness Center, died Aug. 11.

After graduating from Denton High School, Herschel — nicknamed Skip by his family — briefly attended the University of Texas at Arlington before transferring to North Texas. While working at the Fine Arts Theatre, he met Regina Roden (’93), and the couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary earlier this year.

In the early 1980s, while managing a Grandy’s restaurant in Greenville, Herschel decided to pursue a career in medicine. He returned to North Texas and earned a master’s in biology while applying to medical school at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, now the UNT Health Science Center, where he graduated with a doctorate in osteopathic medicine.  

His medical career spanned nearly 40 years, including more than 25 years at the Student Health and Wellness Center. He began as a staff physician before serving as chief of staff and executive director. After retiring in 2019, he worked as a part-time physician at the clinic. He was known as a compassionate, kind person who had a passion for medicine and was a fierce advocate for his patients.

A member of the President’s Council at UNT, Herschel also was an avid sports fan who cheered on the Mean Green as well as the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks. He enjoyed working in his yard, taking trips with his family to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and spending time with his grandkids.

A visitation is scheduled at noon and a funeral service at 1 p.m. Aug. 16 at First United Methodist Church of Denton, 201 S. Locust St. A graveside service will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, 3801 Roselawn Dr., Denton.

Donations may be made in Herschel’s memory to the UNTHSC TCOM Annual Scholarship Fund or the UNT Food Pantry.