Dr. Richard Darling

1931 - 2023

BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. – Dr. Richard Morse Darling, 92, of McHarrie Pointe, formerly of North Chili, passed away peacefully Wednesday (Aug. 2, 2023) after a brief illness.

Richard was the youngest of three sons born to Eugene David and Sarah Grace Morse Darling, on May 5, 1931, in Norwich. Richard was a 1949 graduate of Norwich High School where he excelled in academics and sports, particularly tennis. He was proud to be a member of the tennis team during his junior year when he led the Norwich Purple Tornadoes in an undefeated season and later was inducted into the NHS Sports Hall of Fame (2018).

He developed an interest in medicine from his mother, a nurse, who provided short- and long-term care in their Norwich home. He attended Roberts Wesleyan College and then transferred to Alfred State College, graduating in 1953. While at Roberts he met the love of his life, Lila Jean Robson of Eldred. They married June 12, 1954.

Upon graduation from Albany Medical College in 1957 he joined the U.S. Air Force (1957-63) and began his residency at Wilford Hall, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, then as Captain and Chief of Pediatrics at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Ill. Five sons blessed their marriage. In 1964 the family relocated to the Rochester area where Richard joined Westside Pediatric Group serving families in the community until his retirement in 1998.

He was on the teaching staff at Strong Memorial Hospital and was a longtime member of the Monroe County Medical Society.

Richard was an avid tennis player, Civil War enthusiast and fly fisherman. He enjoyed hunting, woodcarving, building fine furniture, painting, storytelling, traveling and listening to classical music. Richard made many friends along life's way and was the most loving and dedicated husband, father, uncle and grandfather. While he had many interests and hobbies, above all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He took great joy in being part of their lives. He was a man of deep faith and leaves a legacy of service, dedication, compassion and humility.

Richard is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Clifford Eugene and Louis LaMott Darling; his beloved wife of 63 years, Lila Jean Robson Darling; infant son Robert Eugene Darling; sister-in-law Leah Sylvia Darling; and brothers-in-law, John Robson and Earl Robson.

Richard is survived by and will be missed more than words can fully express by his four sons and their families, James LaMott (Carolann; Amanda Riddick (Hunter), DeAnna Brennan (Michael); Edward Morse (Donna; Jamie Swyers (Brenton), Danielle Hibbert (Ben), Lydia); Thomas Noel (Miki; Paul and Alexis) and William Jon (Beth; Caleb, Sam, Isabella and Ezra); great-grandchildren, Micah and Mila Swyers and Iris, Kai and Kole Hibbert; and many cherished nieces and nephews from the Darling and Robson families.

Funeral services will be held at Frame Funeral Home, 230 Main St, Eldred, Pa. The family will receive friends at noon Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2023) prior to the service at 2 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Lamphier Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Roberts Fund (https://www.roberts.edu/give/make-a-gift/).

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28