Studley, Virginia
BEDINGER, Robert Wright Sr., MD, FACP, Commander USN (Ret.), 86, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2011 at his residence at Westminster Canterbury after a long illness. Born in San Antonio, Texas, his early years were marked by the annual moves typical of a military family. In 1941, he returned to his family home in Virginia, where he attended a post graduate year at St. Christopher's School, prior to entering the Virginia Military Institute in 1942. Having survived his "Rat Year," and on the accelerated war curriculum, he qualified in two years to enter the Medical College of Virginia, School of Medicine, where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1948. An internship at the University of Wisconsin was followed by a Medical Residency at the Medical College of Virginia where he subsequently served as Chief Resident. After several years of service in the Navy as medical officer, he reflected on his years of military moves and decided to "lay down roots." He returned to Richmond in 1954 to join The McGuire Clinic where he completed a 34-year career in internal medicine and raised his family. Noted as a superb diagnostician, he is remembered for his affirming and compassionate manner, his intellectual curiosity in all things medical and otherwise. He collaborated with Dr. Hermes Kontos to perform the first electrical cardio version in Richmond. In an era that arteriosclerosis was believed to be an irreversible and progressive disease, he demonstrated this to be a dynamic process reversible with metabolic management. He served as a professor in The St. Luke's School of Nursing, and as an associate professor of internal medicine, MCV. He remained an academician beyond his active practice becoming board certified in Geriatrics after his retirement. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of the AMA, Medical Society of Virginia, Richmond Academy of Medicine, Southern Medical Association and the Society of the Cincinnati. A member of Second Presbyterian Church, he served as a Deacon and later as a Ruling Elder. He was preceded in death by both wives, Jean Blackwell King (1974), and Mary Lenore Vinson (2007); his parents, Samuel Davies Bedinger (Colonel U.S. Army) and Anne Latane Ware Bedinger. He is survived by his children, Robert W. Bedinger Jr., MD, Edward K. Bedinger (Jane), and Martha B. Holt (David); and seven grandchildren, Rob, Mark, Leigh and Sam Bedinger, Miles Bedinger, Helen and Ritchie Holt. The family will receive friends Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 13, at Second Presbyterian Church. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials contributions be made to VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450, Second Presbyterian Church, 5 N. 5th St., Richmond, Va. 23219 or St. Christopher's School Foundation, 711 St. Christopher's Rd., Richmond, Va. 23226.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
As a graduate of St, Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, I remember Dr. Bedinger very well. He loved to answer our questions and was one of the most knowledgable physicians I have ever known. I was so sad when he retired. His legacy will continue on in Dr.Bedinger,Jr. I remember when you were still in Med School. We all knew that you would be just like your Dad. My deepest sympathy to you nd your family.
Karen (Hurt) Nuckols
October 15, 2011 | Sandston, VA
Sorry to hear of Dr. Bedinger's passing. He was one of the most understanding, compassionate, informative, and congenial physicians I have had in my 88 years. I know he will be missed by many people.
Myrtle Leake
October 14, 2011 | Henrico, VA
Remembered By
Scott Craigo
October 13, 2011 | West Palm Beach, FL
Bob,
So sorry to hear about your father. I remember him as a kind and gentle man. I lost Daddy on the 31st of August and it was the saddest thing that has ever happened to me. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Nan Foster Bennett
October 12, 2011
Dr. Bedinger was a wonderful physician. I will always remember his tender care. With deep sympathy and respect.....
Frances Parker Graham Barksdale
October 12, 2011 | East Windsor, NJ
Dr. Bedinger Jr.,
What a brilliant, inspiring, and determined man your father must have been. I am sure he was more than just your father. He was also your mentor, idol, and friend. Now I know why you are the genuine and respectable man you are today. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Find peace in knowing that your father is no longer in pain and is in a much better place.
With the deepest sympathy and respect,
Dalton Crawley
October 11, 2011 | Ashland, VA
Martha,
Please know that I hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. I have such fond memories of your dad and especially his immense kindness and sincere interest in me. He was a wonderful man and you are an amazing legacy to his significant life.
Andrew joins me in sending our deepest sympathy to you all.
With much love,
Molly
Molly Wooden
October 11, 2011 | Santa Barbara, CA
Bedinger Family,
Our deepest sympathy. My mother, wife and myself were patients until Dr. Bedinger retired. We will always remember his kindness and patience.
George Hoffer
October 10, 2011 | Richmond, VA
Dr. Bedinger was the epitome of a caring physician. In an era when house calls had gone the way of the dodo bird, he came to my parents' home to see my grandmother who was dying of cancer. He was personal physician to my mother, my father, my grandmother, my sister, my wife, and me. We all were truly saddened when he retired.
In addition to his keen sense of humor, Dr. Bedinger had a sixth sense about medical matters. He went beyond the text books and applied an uncommon...
Wayne Leake
October 10, 2011 | Manakin-Sabot, VA