Richard Morris Rush M.D.

Obituary

Richard Morris Rush M.D.

August 10, 1937- February 27, 2026

Richard Morris Rush, M.D., passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, in Manhattan, Montana, at the age of 88, surrounded by four of his grandsons.

Richard was born on August 10, 1937, in Santa Maria, California, to Morris and Genevieve Rush. He grew up alongside his younger brother, C.D. Rush. He spent his early childhood in Arroyo Grande, California, where he attended grade school. During his middle school years, his family lived in Saudi Arabia while his father worked in the oil industry. He later returned to Arroyo Grande for high school but spent many summers in Saudi Arabia, a time he often recalled fondly.

From a young age, Richard had a strong independent spirit and a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time outside and often preferred those pursuits to the classroom. During high school he also enjoyed playing basketball and baseball.

Richard attended Pacific Union College, where he spent five years studying pre-dental and graduated in 1956. While attending church one day, he met Barbara Ann Parker in an unforgettable way when he accidentally tripped over her feet while arriving late to worship. The two later married and had three children; daughters, Michelle Diane Rush and Cherilyn Denise Rush, and son Richard Rush Jr.

A suggestion from his close friend Bob Randal would ultimately change the course of Richard's career. Encouraged to pursue medicine rather than dentistry, he and Barbara packed everything they owned into a trailer and moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he attended medical school. Despite not knowing Spanish, he excelled in his studies. When asked how he managed to take notes in a language he did not understand, he said he simply listened and retained the information. He later graduated with his medical doctorate.

After completing medical school, he moved his family to St. Ignatius, Montana. Later in life, he and Barbara divorced. He eventually moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he met and married Deborah Featherstone. He later adopted Deborah's son, Trey, whom he raised as his own.

Richard and his family settled in Worland, Wyoming, where he spent many years serving the community as a physician. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s he delivered many babies and cared for generations of families in the community. For several years he owned his own private practice which gave him the ability to treat and further get to know the community he loved so much. He concluded his medical career working in the emergency room at Banner Health Hospital in Worland.

Outside of medicine, he embraced life fully. He loved fishing, hunting, cooking, gardening, and making pickles for his grandchildren. He also had three beloved Shih Tzu dogs that he enjoyed taking on walks. Even in retirement, his love of being a doctor never faded. It was common to run into him around town, often at the grocery store, where he would greet friends, share stories, and sometimes diagnose ailments or offer medical advice. He was widely known and respected throughout the community.

Despite enduring profound loss during his lifetime, outliving all four of his children, Richard remained devoted to his family and developed especially close relationships with his grandchildren (whom he considered his own children) and great-grandchildren. During the final year of his life, his oldest granddaughter, Jilian, helped move him to a memory care facility a few miles from her home. They spent many meaningful hours together reminiscing about his childhood in California and his unique experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia. He often reflected with gratitude on the rich and adventurous life he had lived.

Richard is survived by his brother, C.D. Rush (Sherrill); his former wife, Barbara Rush; and his son-in-law, Bud Cheff III. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jilian Weamer (Levi), Michael Young-Weamer (Lesley), Jaden Quintana, Buddy Cheff IV (Bridgett), Austin Cheff, Parker Rush, Reagan Cummings (Casey), Caden Rush (Maddi), and Hannah Rush; his step-granddaughter, Cynthia Fabela (Justin); and his great-grandchildren, Lily Weamer-Behler, Buddy V, Hudson, and Mason Cheff, Charlotte Quintana, Jori Rush, and Jamie and Charlie Cummings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Genevieve Rush; his former wife Deborah Featherstone-Rush; and his children Michelle Rush-Amaya, Cheri Rush-Cheff, Richard Rush Jr., and Trey Rush. While his grandchildren deeply feel his absence, they find comfort in knowing he is now reunited with the children he loved so dearly.

A Celebration of Life, led by Pastor Barry Curtis, will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Zion Church in Worland. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Richard's life.

In accordance with his wishes, his ashes will be scattered at his daughter's family ranch in Ronan, Montana, at the base of the Mission Mountains, a place that held special meaning to him and his family.

Richard will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, as a devoted physician, a loving grandfather, and wonderful friend whose legacy lives on through the many lives he touched. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.