By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

VILLA HILLS - Edward R. Royek opened the first chiropractor's office in Florence in 1947.

By the time he retired, he had treated more than 12,000 patients in the Northern Kentucky area.

Mr. Royek died Friday at his Villa Hills residence of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 86.

"He was such an intelligent man, and a great artist. He painted, drew and hooked his own rugs. Just a sweet, gentle, caring, Christian man who never stopped learning," said his stepdaughter, Carolyn Haynes of Florence.

Mr. Royek was raised in Dearborn, Mich., and he graduated from Palmer Chiropractic College on Feb. 29, 1940.

He entered the Navy in 1945. He served in World War II in Guam, caring for casualties from Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

After being honorably discharged, Mr. Royek moved to Northern Kentucky and eventually opened his practice, first in Covington, and later in Florence.

Later, he opened an office in Boone County.

Mr. Royek retired in 1991.

A Kentucky Colonel, he was also a member of several organizations, including Delta Sigma Chi Fraternity, Kentucky Association of Chiropractors, and was a charter member and past president of the Northern Kentucky Chiropractic Association.

He was also a member of Elsmere Senior Center.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Davy and Richard.

Besides his stepdaughter, other survivors include his wife, Hilda L. Royek of Villa Hills; a daughter, Jeanne Roberts Villa Hills; two stepsons, Ken Hall of Verona and Rick Hall of Elsmere; two other stepdaughters, Linda Van Winkle of Independence, and Robin Patten of Hillsboro, Ohio; a brother, Dr. Gilbert Royek of Dearborn, Mich.; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 18 step-grandchildren; and 18 step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Don Catchen & Son Funeral Home, 3525 Dixie Hwy., Elsmere-Erlanger.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Church, 2470 Lorraine Court, Crescent Springs.

Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church, 2470 Lorraine Court, Crescent Springs, 41017.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com