ROBERT VRYHEID
1951-2025

Robert Vryheid Plant-based Nutrition (PBN) Scholarship

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The Robert Vryheid Plant-Based Nutrition (PBN) Scholarship aims to raise awareness that many chronic diseases—such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, prediabetes, fatty liver disease, autoimmune diseases, overweight/obesity, vascular dementia and other conditions—can often be prevented or, in some cases, reversed through education on the benefits of plant-based nutrition and the adoption of a healthier lifestyle.

 

Dr. Vryheid was physically fit, being a lifelong advocate of outdoor life and a dedicated runner, a habit he maintained from his school days in Spring Valley. He witnessed the urban development of San Diego firsthand, recognized the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, and consistently offered his support to them. Inspired by John F. Kennedy’s famous inaugural address on January 20, 1961, Dr. Vryheid embraced the call to service: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”  

 

Hence, after earning his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Oregon in 1981, he joined the Peace Corps and lived with the hill tribes of northern Thailand, working on malaria control and several vaccination campaigns. He also conducted development work in Cambodia in the early 1990s. He later received a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at San Diego State University in the early 1990s. Fluent in Thai, Lao and Khmer with a deep connection to the Thai and broader Southeast Asian communities through his late wife, Peegoon Vryheid, Dr. Vryheid was actively involved in supporting the Thai Buddhist temple community and Khmer American Mutual Association of San Diego. He served as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at San Diego State University, until his passing on August 20, 2025.

 

The Scholarship is the Vryheid’s family’s way of continuing Dr. Robert Vryheid’s dedication to help others through the transformative power of plant-based nutrition that benefits communities worldwide.  In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to The Campanile Foundation for the "Robert Vryheid Plant-Based Nutrition Scholarship" (or Robert Vryheid PBN Scholarship) noted in the memo line, and mailed to:

The Campanile Foundation
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1968

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The Campanile Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit philanthropic organization - Tax ID #: 33-0868418.  A receipt will be sent to each donor. Your donation is deeply appreciated.  It will go a long way to help others. Thank you. 

About Dr. Robert Vryheid

 

• Lifelong advocate of fitness and outdoor life.

• Inspired by John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address to dedicate his life to service.

• Earned a PhD in Anthropology (University of Oregon, 1981) and later an MPH (San Diego State University).

• Served in the Peace Corps in northern Thailand, working on malaria control and vaccination campaigns.

• Fluent in Thai and Lao, with deep connections to Southeast Asian and Buddhist temple communities.

• Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Public Health at San Diego State University.

• Dedicated supporter of underserved communities.

• Passed away on August 20, 2025.

 

The Robert Vryheid Plant-Based Nutrition (PBN) Scholarship

 

• Honors Dr. Vryheid’s lifelong dedication to service, education, and public health.

• Aims to raise awareness of the role of plant-based nutrition in preventing and, in some cases, reversing chronic diseases.

• Ensures Dr. Vryheid’s legacy continues through empowering healthier communities worldwide.