Richard Maurice Dawes

DAWES Richard Maurice Dawes, born March 29th, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana, has entered into his eternal rest on Sunday, March 18th, 2007 after 77 years of sharing his light. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Laurie Oppenheim Dawes, and his first wife of their 6 children, Katherine Roy Dawes. He has blessed the world with many beautiful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are: Kay Dawes Mattei, husband Brad Mattei and grandson Seth; Rick McKay Dawes, wife Judy, and grandchildren Jessica, Cade, Jamie and Janay; great-grandchildren Parker McKay Dawes and Ansley Courville. Marie Dawes Jarrell, husband Ricky and grandchildren, Holly and Melissa; Roy Adrian Dawes, and grandchildren, Margo, Eli and their mother Diane Inguez, and Madeline; David Stephen Dawes, wife Terri and grandchildren Dana and Zachary, Anne Dawes Henderson, husband Stuart and grandchild Rachelle Henderson; and Mani Dawes and her husband Sean Josephs and Sarah Dawes. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Deborah Oppenheim, husband Rick Fifield and step-mother-in-law Audrey Oppenheim, and preceded in death by his parents, Addie and Richard Dawes and by Laurie and Deborah's parents, Bernard and Adele Oppenheim. He also is survived by his five siblings, sister Dorothy Dawes, Mary Dawes Chawla and husband Jack, William Dawes, James R. Dawes and wife Sandy Dawes with all of their children and grandchildren. Richard (Dick as we all call him) had a remarkable career in the field of medicine for 42 years. He graduated from LSU Medical School in 1951 at 22 years old and had a rotating internship at the United States Public Health Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana (where he also completed his military service). He attended a residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and an internship at the Leprosarium at Carville, Louisiana. He was a general practice Doctor in Thibodeaux, Gramercy and Lutcher, Louisiana. He also functioned as an assistant anesthesiologist for the River Parishes during his general practice years until 1963. He delivered over 1000 babies. In 1967, he completed a residency in Psychiatry at LSU Medical School. He had a private practice in psychiatry and practiced at DePaul Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana (1967-1989), as well as volunteering at several mental health centers in South Louisiana. He also assisted in treating patients with ECT revolutionizing the use of anesthesia to assist in the kind and effective treatment for severe depression. In 1987-1989 he was Medical Director of River Region Psychiatric Hospital in Vacherie, Louisiana and in 1989 he co-directed a treatment program for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Monroe, Louisiana at St. Francis Medical Center. In 1990 he practiced psychiatry at Acadian Oaks Hospital and Cypress Hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana as well as his private practice. In 1991, he was Medical Director of Teche Recovery Center in Arnaudville, Louisiana. Also in 1991 he began working at the state hospital in Jackson, Louisiana until his retirement because of illness in May of 1993. Dick was loved and respected by his staff and patients and had a unique ability to not only practice good psychotherapy, but understand medication management. He was a very spiritual and inspirational person, always searching for answers and filled with so much love and compassion. He was a prolific reader, loved music and the arts, and attended countless numbers of seminars and workshops to fulfill his love and quest of knowledge and learning; he loved the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints. Dick was very devoted to his children, family and friends and loved, admired and adored them. There will be a private memorial party at a later date and time. The family would like to thank the compassionate devotion of St. Joseph's Hospice. Please send any donations to the charity of your choices. Services entrusted to: PROFESSIONAL FUNERAL SERVICES, INC. ""Divine Service for a Divine People'' 1620 Elysian Fields Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 Information: (504) 948-7447