Dr. Richard Paul Quinn

Dr. Richard Paul Quinn, 58, died Sunday evening, September 2 at Rex Healthcare after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Rich was born October 22, 1942, in Modesto, California, and was the son of the late Juliet Rybak Quinn and the late Charles Quinn.
He was preceded in death by his brother, John Quinn.
He is survived by his wife, Joan A. Quinn; son, Timothy and daughter-in-law, Anna Quinn and their daughter, Grace Evelyn; daughters, Susan A. Quinn and Kate Quinn; sister, Barbara Quinn of Clovis, CA; brothers, Charles Quinn of San Jose, CA, Robert Quinn of Modesto, CA; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rich devoted his career to immunology research for 27 years at Burroughs Wellcome. He was a distinguished research scientist under the tutelage of Nobel laureate Dr. Gertrude Elion. He helped develop AZT and Acyclovir as well as aiding in the FDA approval processes so that patients could benefit. After leaving Wellcome, he continued work in biomedical research at Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Sanguinex, and Q Consulting.
He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Chemistry and received his PhD from Oregon State University in Biochemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Becker. He did his post-doctorate work at Oakridge, TN and was guided by Dr. Joe Albright and Dr. Takashi Makinodan.
Rich received the Community Volunteer of the Year for his work at Polk Youth Center and the Governor's Award for volunteering in the 1980's. He was a member of Sigma Xi and a founding member of theWeezers and Geezers, a club of Burroughs Welcome retirees. He loved the outdoors, woodworking, golf, and photography. He was a friend of Bill W. for over 20 years.
Rich's life was characterized by a love of people, which prompted him to engage in many acts of kindness most done anonymously. His integrity, keen curiosity, and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
A service to celebrate his life and a reception afterward will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Rd., Cary, North Carolina, Friday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Immunology Research, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 297153, Houston, TX, 77297 or The Healing Place, Attn: Dennis Parnell, 1251 Goode St., Raleigh, NC 27603, or the charity of your choice.