Rick Ian Suberman M.D., J.D.

1943 - 2021

Rick Ian Suberman, M.D., J.D.
April 30, 1943 - June 25, 2021
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Dr. Rick Suberman, 78, died June 25, 2021 with his family by his side in Chapel Hill, NC after a protracted hospitalization.
Rick was born on April 30th, 1943 in Tucson, Arizona, the only child of Jack and Stella Suberman. The family moved to Raleigh when Rick was a child, where he thrived as an athlete and student. After graduating from Needham Broughton High School, Rick attended Dartmouth College and then North Carolina State University for pre-medical courses. Without an undergraduate degree, he was accepted to medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, went on to train in Pediatric Radiology at Boston Children's Hospital, and later served on faculty at both UNC and Duke University Medical Center.
After his career in academics, Rick co-founded Chapel Hill Radiology, a well-respected private practice. An uncanny four-leaf clover finder, Rick was able to apply his keen observational skills to more than two million diagnostic studies over the course of his career. Unique for a Radiology practice, Rick met directly with patients and collaborated closely with referring physicians. After practicing Radiology for over 20 years, Rick pursued his interest in the law, attending night school at North Carolina Central University Law School and earning a law degree at the age of 50. Rick worked as both a doctor and a lawyer for the last 20 years of his career and in the afternoons was able to play golf with his foursome, shooting his age on multiple occasions.
In addition to medicine and law, Rick had many diverse professional interests. When Chapel Hill was a town without a freeway, Rick became a prominent restaurateur who was well-known by all. Bob's Ice Cream and Aurora were among his projects as well as a state-wide Mexican restaurant chain, Papagayo, which was a popular gathering place for locals. The Labor Day parties he threw for employees and their families were a manifestation of his generous spirit and love of bringing people together. Those parties were held at the place he was happiest- Barefoot Paths Farm.
Rick married Karen on Thanksgiving Day 1998, his favorite holiday. While most men are known to give flowers to their wives for special occasions, Rick knew Karen well and gifted animals. The farm evolved from a simple horse stable to what is now a menagerie of animals,including llamas, peacocks, miniature donkeys, fainting goats, chickens, dogs and beloved potbellied pig, Irma.
In addition to the animals, Rick also loved landscape art. He commissioned unique sculptures such as life-sized Greek ruins, an African elephant, and a wrought iron gate by renowned artists including Robert Gaston, Enrique Vega, Seth Rosenberg and Rick Hermanson. Together Karen and Rick designed and built beautiful gardens and made a lovely home for both wild and domesticated creatures. In the evenings they enjoyed spending time in the vegetable garden and planning the next project. Even from the hospital, he was directing work to clear a pond on the property of duckweed.
Rick detested flying but would happily get on a plane to visit his four beloved grandchildren in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. "Pooka," as they called him, loved to play with them and they brought him immense pride and joy.
As his daughter Sophie eloquently stated, "I think he'd appreciate being remembered by a good drink, a good meal and a story or two of how he impacted your life."
Rick is survived by his loving wife Karen and his children: Abigail Suberman (Jonathan), Thomas Suberman (Scott), and Sophie Suberman (Soteria); grandchildren: Madeleine, Atlas, Mabel and Oliver; Karen's children: Karen Nowell, Gwynn Nowell (Bee & son Gwynn IV) and Lauren Nowell (Marc); former spouse Christine Oliver; and the mother of his children, Jan Halle.
Rick was predeceased by his parents Stella and Jack Suberman.
No flowers please but a contribution in his name to the charity or organization of your choice would be appreciated.
A celebration of Rick's life will be held at a later date.