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RICHARD CUNNINGHAM Obituary
Dr. Richard. Wayne Cunningham of Gainesville Florida, passed away Monday, August 29, 2010 at Haven Hospice surrounded by his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife Pat who was also his caregiver through his many illnesses and life long friend of 46 years, his 4 daughters, 1 step-daughter and 3 sons-in-laws, Cyndi Kirts of Gainesville, Lisa Wall (Willie) of Deltona, Eleanor Pojer (Raul) of Madrid Spain, Debbie Cunningham Blair (Johnny) of Madison, Donna Kaye Miller (Andy) of Denver, Co. and three granddaughters, Michelle and Nicole Pojer and Meghan Kirts, and his sister and bother-in-law Hilda and Russell Alderman of Jennings, FL.
Richard Wayne Cunningham was born on the family farm in Hamilton County, Florida on December 15, 1933, He graduated from Jennings High School where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and was valedictorian of his class. He worked on the family farm and at the age of 15 he leased and operated a farm himself
He attended the University of Florida and graduated with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Science in 1958. He was active in the student government and his fraternity, Sigma Chi as well as working at several jobs to help pay his way through school.
He spent 2 years on active duty in the United States Navy serving during the Korean conflict.
He graduated from the University of Florida School of Medicine in 1962, followed by his Internship, and Residency in Internal Medicine as well as a year of Neurology Fellowship there.
Dr. Cunningham then joined Dr. John Andrews in private practice in Gainesville in 1966. Together they established the highly successful and respected Gainesville Medical Group. They were also instrumental in attracting Hospital Corporation of America to build North Florida Regional Hospital in 1973. Dr. Cunningham then served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for 15 years and the entrance to North Florida Regional Medical Center and Physicians Office Park was re-named Cunningham Drive in his honor. He also served 9 years on the Board of Governors of Hospital Corporation of America.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, Alachua County Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Cunningham also served the community in a number of non-medical capacities. Those included Santa Fe College Board of Trustees, Sun Bank Board of Directors, University of Florida Foundation Board, Director of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Board of the Performing Arts Center.
He was an avid sports fan, a Bull Gator as well as a member of the Quarterback Club and a lifetime member of the Florida BIue Honor Fraternity.
He loved the outdoors and went on a number of memorable hunting and fishing trips with close friends and family to Alaska., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, South Dakota, Arkansas and the Amazon River.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Luna Cunningham and his sisters, Bonnie Shadrick and Mary Martha Lambert.
Dr. Cunningham's final arrangements are being handled by the Neptune Society Crematorium.
A memorial service will be announced later.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD CUNNINGHAM
Jane Tyree
August 25, 2020
Dr. Richard is a hero in our home. Highly respected. Never forgotten.
Jane Tyree-Lowe
September 23, 2011
Dr. Richard Cunningham was a wonderful friend and doctor to our family. He never got too busy to forget the folks of Hamilton County. I always knew what Dr. Richard told me was the truth and he always had time for me as my parents got sick and faded away. HE did not forget us and I knew I had a friend in Gainesville. Both my parents loved him and so did I.
Paula Cunningham Agosta
September 16, 2011
It was sad to heard of Richard's passing, which invoked precious memories of attending the Cunningham Family reunions in Hamilton County.
Laura Mershon Merritt
September 15, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Shirlene Harvey
September 12, 2011
Dr. Cunningham was wonderful person. I was a patient of his years ago.
May God Bless his family.
September 11, 2011
Richard was a good person, great Dr. and a loyal Gator. My thoughts are with Richard's entire extended
family. and to Ruthie.
Bob Kent, Jacksonville, FL
Alice Ellington
September 8, 2011
Dr. Cunningham was a devoted man to me and my family 21 years ago. He told me not to expect a recoverer of my husband with Lou Gehrig. A great man with a huge heart, was Richard Cunningham M.D May God Bless this family.
Steve Marlowe
September 8, 2011
Uncle Richard, it was strange not having our weekly Sunday morning Gator phone call, but I know you were smiling at the results.You touched many lives and thanks for being the great person you were. I'll think of you at the end of every third quarter when we sing We Are The Boys...
Kelly Licciardi
September 5, 2011
Dr. C was a great man & a great physician. He was my doctor for years. My mother, Essie, was his office nurse. They remained friends til he passed away. Rest in Peace, Dr. C
bj griffis
September 2, 2011
Our prayers goes out to the family and friends. I know Dr. Cunningham was my mom and dads dr for many years. He told my mom about the vision he had about NFRMC many years ago. He is in a better place now. God Speed.
Emery and Sandy Daughtry
September 2, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these very difficult days. May God comfort you with many wonderful memories. What a loss for our community, Dr. C..you will ge missed!!
Jim and Sonya Evans
September 2, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this special time of home-going for your loved one. We are so sorry we cannot be there to comfort in person, but we are in Easter Island today and will not be home before Monday afternoon.
May God comfort you as only He knows how.
Our love and prayers always,
Jim and Sonya Evans
H. WALTER STONE
September 2, 2011
I WENT TO SHANDS IN JANUARY OF "60 AND MET DICK EARLY ON. FROM THE DAY I MET HIM TILL THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM, HE WAS ALWAYS THE SAME, FRIENDLY, KIND, AND HE REMEMBERED FACTS FROM PEOPLE'S LIVES SO WELL!! I WAS NOT AN MD BUT HE ALWAYS TREATED ME WITH THE SAME RESPECT AS IF I WAS.
HE WILL BE MISSED BUT REMEMBERED FOR MAKING EVERYTHING BETTER WHEN HE GOT INVOLVED. HE LOVED PEOPLE.
Jacqueline Moss McCall
September 1, 2011
Dr.Cunningham will be fondly remembered by my family. His medical expertise; and his wonderful care for a patient, allowed me to have years with my own father that I would not have had. He truly was a friend to his patients. He cared.
May God wrap his loving arms around each of you giving you peace and comfort in the days to come.
We live in a better world because of Richard Cunningham.
God Bless-
Timothy Knight
September 1, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Craig Cash
August 31, 2011
Dr. Cunningham was a Great man,Great Doctor,Great Neighbor,always very nice ,for the six years I lived across the street from him in the late 80's early 90's. God bless and Godspeed .
Craig Cash
McCoy White
August 31, 2011
Dr.Cunningham was a kind,humorous,brilliant physician.Our community is indeed fortunate to have had his wisdom and caring hands.My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time.
don & linda barrett
August 31, 2011
May the Gator Nation, the Gainesville Medical, the Gainesville Community, and the Cunningham Family remember the good times and support Dr. Cunningham gave to his family and our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family.
Michelle Pojer
August 31, 2011
I love you Grandaddy! Couldn't have asked for a better grandad!! I miss you so much already and cannot stop thinking about you... you are missed by so many people but we all know your in a better place watching over us. Be the second coach for the gators up there in heaven! We all love you!!!!
Judy O'Neal Newkirk
August 31, 2011
To All of Richard's girls,Hilda and Pat--I am so sorry to hear about Richard passing. But we did have great times especially at Thanksgiving on Uncle Ralph's farm. I still can see all the Cunningham kin enjoying the fried fish, hush puppies and grits!!!!!!! Richard was the leader for the guys bird hunting. I'm sure he is having a great time with his mom, dad, Bonnie and Motsy! Our thoughts and prayers are will you during this time--May God Bless!
August 31, 2011
God bless the family in this time of loss. Richard and I were roommates at U of F during our freshman year. I have a lot of happy memories of that time. He will be missed I'm sure.
Harry McGhin (another Hamilton County farm boy)
Rusty Alderman
August 31, 2011
To The Entire family Of Uncle Richard.
The sorrow of the faithful is not of permanent loss,but the tender sense of sadness that comes in saying good-bye for now to someone we love. May today's sorrow give way to the peace and comfort of God's love.You will never be forgotten Uncle Richard.May God Bless you all.
All Our Love.
Rusty and Colleen Alderman.
Rick Blahauvietz
August 31, 2011
We have lost one of the "very good ones". I was blessed to call Richard as a friend during my time in Gainesville. His dedicated service as a director at Sun Trust gave me an opportunity to draw on his knowledge, sound judgement and wit. Richard was enjoyable to be around in both business and social functions. His smile , business sense and charm would captivate the room. I also enjoyed the weekly interaction at the Quarterback Club or on football trips. My prayers go out to the family and we all share in the loss but also can share so many memories. Take comfort in knowing the Lord is with him today and with all the family.
August 31, 2011
RICHARD WILL BE MISSED BY MANY FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. HE WAS GREAT IN HIS YOUNGER YEARS AS WE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER AND ARE SIGMA CHI BROTHERS. HIS LATER LIFE WAS FANTASTIC. GOD BLESS RICHARD AND ALL HIS FAMILY. BILLY "BUD" PAFFORD
Gwen (Wendy) Thompson
August 31, 2011
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Remember all the good times & all the wonderful memories. My prayers are wih you all.
Kip Adkins
August 31, 2011
TO Pat and Richard's lovely daughters and incredible family: My heart goes out to all of you as I know what a huge loss this is to your family. The world is a different place without him and his huge heart and sense of humor. Please take comfort that he and Dad are back to their own tricks, visiting old haunts and rooting on the Gators from Heaven. I am so happy he did not linger long, as he was all about quality . . . in every aspect of his life.
I am a better person for knowing him and he enriched my Dad's life, Mitty Adkins, in ways that were divine. Dad could not have had a better friend. God Bless you all. I will miss him too!
All my love and affection,
Kip Adkins
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