Richard Taggart

1945 - 2021

Richard James Taggart, MD
September 15, 1945 - August 8, 2021
Roseville, California - Richard passed away on August 8th at his home in Roseville, California. He was 75 years old. Richard was preceded in death by his Mother Isabel, Father William and Granddaughter Taylor. Richard is survived by his wife of 39 years Dandra, his sons Matthew Taggart of Los Angeles, Bobby Taggart of Roseville, daughters Kelly Taggart Scavullo (Andrew) of San Francisco, Tiffiny Leppien of Loomis and his five grandchildren - Samantha, Faith, Azalea, Jack and Oscar who affectionately called him Papa. He is also survived by his brothers, William Taggart of Oakland, David Taggart (Francine) of Westminster, Colorado and Douglas Taggart (Kathy) of Omaha Nebraska.
Richard was born in September of 1945 at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento, California. He was the second of four boys. He was very active and a bright and excellent student. After his graduation at San Juan High School in 1963 he pursued Premedical Education at the University of California at Davis. He continued his studies to become a Medical Doctor and after his graduation, he married Deborah Poulos. He interned at UC Irvine for a year followed by two years of service in the Air Force where he served as a general practitioner at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Matthew, his son was born in Texas in September 1972. In 1975 Richard returned to Davis for his medical residency, first in Psychiatry, and then in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kaiser Hospital. His daughter Kelly was born in Sacramento in February 1975. He continued to work as a Staff Physician at Kaiser for the next four years.
In 1979 Richard opened his private practice in Carmichael. In 1982 Richard married Dandra Grinder in Loomis, California. They settled in Roseville, California along with Tiffiny, Matthew and Kelly and in August 1985 they welcomed Bobby to the family.
Richard provided skilled and compassionate care to countless women and families. He served as Chairman of the OB/GYN department at Mercy San Juan Hospital and courtesy staff at Sutter Roseville Hospital. He closed his medical practice in 2013. After closing his practice, Richard took a position as a physician at the Gunderson Clinic in the small town of Tomah, Wisconsin. He loved the camaraderie of the small clinic and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. There are many friendships that he built in Tomah and he loved and treasured them all.
Richard was devoted to his family, the practice of medicine and of course his golf game. His home and heart were always open to family and friends. He reassured expectant mothers and delivered thousands of babies. For over 30 years he was the happiest on the golf course with friends and family, always working on or perfecting his golf swing. He regularly read medical journals along with his favorite novels. Richard will be forever in our hearts and remembered as a generous and hardworking husband, father, grandfather and brother. He is deeply missed by his many friends, extended family, professional colleagues and golf buddies. Once when asked if he was looking forward to retiring, he answered that he loved being a doctor and would continue to do it for as long as he could. He continued to practice medicine until the end of his life
A memorial service will be held on August 31st at 1:00 PM at the Catta Verdera County Club in Lincoln, California. All family, friends and colleagues are welcome to attend.
Memories and Expressions of Sympathy to: www.dignitymemorial.com
Lambert Funeral Home 400 Douglas Blvd Roseville California 95678 Roseville, California