Dr. John Mark Richards

John Mark Richards of Santa Barbara was born February 23, 1919 to George and Florence Richards in Stony Point, New York. John graduated from Blair Academy in NY, entered Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1936; received BA and MD degrees in 1940. Served his residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He married his childhood sweetheart, Katherine Peck, on July 5, 1938. 

The family moved to Santa Barbara, CA in 1947 where he established his medical practice in eye surgery. He performed some of the first intraocular lens surgeries and YAG Laser treatments in Santa Barbara; held several eye-related patents, and built the professional center building at 1919 State Street in 1963. 

John died the morning of February 16, 2017 at the age of 97+ at his home in Santa Barbara. He was predeceased by his wife of 60+ years, Katherine Peck Richards, on October 11, 1999 and his son, Edward J. Richards, on March 22,2014. He is survived by his daughter Jean L. Richards, son John P. Richards, daughter-in-law Judi Richards, three granddaughters: Barbara (Richards) Minor of Bakersfield, CA; Madeleine (Richards) Myers of Susanville, CA; Susan (Richards) George of Janesville, CA; eight (8) great-grandchildren, and his brother George Douglas Richards of Laurel, New York. Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.