Dean Charles Rich MD

Dean Charles Rich MD (Duffer, to his grandchildren) passed away on June 8, 2021 in Utah, 30 minutes from where he was born on September 9, 1940 to Don Carlos Rich and Norma Amelia Bergsjo. He died peacefully in his sleep. Dean was raised in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Roosevelt High School. Dean graduated from Portland State University, then went on to Medical school at the University of Oregon earning his MD in 1965. He interned in St Paul MN. He was a captain and Flight Surgeon in The United States Air Force. He then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he completed residencies in General Surgery and Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1973 and a Fellowship at National Hospital, Queen Square, London, England. He was on staff at many hospitals in the Mainline area including Paoli Hospital and Bryn Mawr Hospital. He retired in 1999. Dean loved flying and was an Instrument Rated Pilot. He owned a Cessna airplane with his good friend Mike Schrieber MD. After retirement, Dean enjoyed scuba diving with his wife, Kathy, and became a Master Diver. Together, they travelled to many beautiful dive destinations including The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea in Australia. Dean was an avid reader, his favorite subject was history. He travelled with his dear friends to many Civil War Battlegrounds. He enjoyed mystery and action movies, current events and debating opinions with his friends. He was a fan of Winnie The Pooh books, Eeyore his favorite character. His wit and sense of humor were unique. Like Winston Churchill, one of his heroes, Dean loved a "proper nap". An honorable and brilliant man, Dean will be deeply missed. Dean is survived by his wife of 25 years Kathleen ( Kathy) Rich, his daughter, Melinda Young (Steve) ,step daughter Alison Skiles (Nate), stepson James B Dibrino and grandchildren Andrew Cameron (Kris), Kelsey Cameron, Iris and Ivy Skiles, sisters Helen Wight (Bob), Nancy Witt, Roxanne Rodela, and many nieces and nephews. He was beloved and admired by friends and colleagues. Over the years, Dean received many notes of appreciation from patients he helped. Relatives and friends are invited to share in Dean's Life Celebration on Thursday July 22, from 10 AM to 11:50 AM at Boyd-Horrox-Givnish of East Norriton, 200 West Germantown Pike, 610-277-7000. His Memorial Service will begin at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the American Heart Association and Doctors Without Borders. .