Richard R. Dewey, MD, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2024, in Portola Valley, California. Dick was born on Feb. 7, 1929, to Benjamin and Julia Dewey in Westfield, New Jersey. He was a graduate of Cardinal Farley’s Military High School and, in 1946, enlisted in the US Army. Dick served with the 6th Infantry Division in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1948 with the rank of sergeant.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Dick enrolled at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1951 with dual degrees in biology and chemistry. In 1951 he was accepted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated with distinction in 1955. From 1955 to 1958, Dick completed his internship, residency and was a fellow at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Thereafter he served as a senior resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.
Dick met June Louise Schoknecht while at Washington University School of Medicine, where she was a nurse at Barnes Hospital. They were married in 1956 and had two children, Richard Jr. and Valerie.
The family moved to California, where Dick started his private practice of internal medicine in Palo Alto at the Stanford Hospital. Dick later joined the Stanford School of Medicine clinical faculty in 1984 and, in 1994, attained the rank of Clinical Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Dewey was known for his dedication and kindness to his patients and their families and continued to make house calls in his 80s. His passion for caring for others never ended. Dr. Dewey was the physician for 20 years to the nuns at Oakwood on the Sacred Heart campus in Atherton. He retired from his internal medicine practice at Stanford Medical Center in 1994 and relocated from Menlo Park to Graeagle, California, and Borrego Springs, California. Dr. Dewey, being Dr. Dewey, engaged in part-time practice of internal medicine through 2012.
Dick was an avid golfer and played several times a week at Stanford Golf Course, where he served as men’s club president in 1986. He annually planted impatiens plants on several holes at the golf course. Dick was a devoted husband and grandfather who loved wine, classical music, attended Stanford football and basketball games and was known for his dapper attire. He was upbeat until his passing and enjoyed socializing with a wide circle of friends. For many years, Dick and June worked with the National Football League and helped organize the annual celebrity golf tournaments prior to the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.
Dick is survived by his son Rich (Lynnie); daughter Valerie Soltau (Mark); three grandchildren, Richard Ryder III (Trey), Jenna Holden, and Shelby Soltau; and three great-grandchildren, Ryder, Ellie and LJ. He is preceded in death by his wife, June.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Graeagle Medical Clinic (Eastern Plumas Health Care Foundation) or Oakwood RSCJ (Society of the Sacred Heart).