Richard C. Lyons

LYONS RICHARD C. M.D.
Prominent Erie Surgeon Richard C. Lyons, 87, a resident of North East, Pa. and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. passed away Friday, June 15th, at his home in Florida. Dr. Lyons was born November 23, 1919 in Corry, Pa. the son of the late Arch and Aralene (Drought) Lyons. Dr. Lyons did his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and received his medical education from the University of Pittsburgh. Following an internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C., he completed a three year residency program in Urology at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Lyons joined the medical staff at Hamot Medical Center in 1950 as a Practitioner and Surgeon in Urology. From 1955-1968, he served as Chairman of the Urology Department at Hamot and founded the Erie Clinic and the Erie Clinic Foundation. Designated Chairman Emeritus of the Urology Department, Dr. Lyons has been an Honorary member of the Hamot Medical Staff since his retirement in 1985. From 1972 to 1986, he served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine and was also designated lifetime Chairman Emeritus of that Board. Dr. Lyons was instrumental in the establishment of the Gannon-Hahnemann program in Family Medicine and other health care education programs at Gannon University. Dr. Lyons was twice elected a Governor of the American College of Surgeons and served as past President of the Pan American Medical Association. A member and officer of numerous other Erie, Pennsylvania, national, and international medical and health associations, Dr. Lyons service in these positions has been recognized through many awards and honors. His involvement in the Erie community included participating in leadership positions with the Erie Conference, Martin Luther King Center, Newcomen Society, Pennsylvania Society, Gannon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and as a former Director of three local banks. Gannon University designated him a Distinguished Pennsylvanian and Dr. Lyons was also very active in the Republican party, both locally and nationally. Dr. Lyons held memberships in the following clubs; the Erie Club, Erie Yaht club, Kahkwa Club, Erie Maennerchor Club, and the University Club in Pittsburgh. He also enjoyed growing grapes on his farm he called the "Old Vine Farm" in North East and also raised Irish Wolfhounds. Dr. Lyons is survived by his wife Norma Wright Lyons and his five children; Dorothy Lyons-Heffner, MD of Virginia Beach, Va.; John C. Lyons, MD of Erie; Sanford D. Lyons of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Timothy R. Lyons, MD of Plymouth, N.H.; and Valerie A. Lyons, MD of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He is the brother of Dr. Gary W. Lyons of Erie; Connie Wolford of Erie, and Phyllis Honey of Appleton, Wis. Dr. Lyons is also survived by 14 grandchildren. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital
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