Richard S. Mitchell

MITCHELL, RICHARD S. The body of Richard S. Mitchell, 49, was found on the beach early August 31st - a drowning victim. Rick was the middle child of five, born to Richard and Janet Mitchell on September 17, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio. His father was an Air Force pilot, so the family moved frequently during Rick's early childhood, until retirement in Beaumont, Texas. After graduating from high school there, Rick went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in organic chemistry from M.I.T. He and brother Mark worked together at DuPont research labs in Delaware before Rick moved to San Diego for the beaches, and to earn his doctorate in molecular biology from UCSD, while working at the Salk Institute. For the past several years, Rick worked in the lab of Dr. John Guatelli, conducting basic research into AIDS and HIV, for the Veterans Medical Research Foundation. When not in the lab, Rick enjoyed the ocean, surfing and swimming, and music - he performed in a band for several years, writing songs, and doing vocals and guitar. Most recently he loved joining the Front Runners and Walkers on their Saturday morning walks, and attending the rehearsals of his friend Tom's cello choir. Rick is survived by his sisters, Gayle Mitchell Stokes and her husband Skip Stokes of Oregon, and Rebecca Mitchell and her husband Gordon Heintschel of Texas; his brothers, Mark Mitchell and his wife Machiko, of Japan, and Michael Mitchell of Texas; two nephews, Dakota and Hud Heintschel, and a niece, Scout Heintschel, all of Texas. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, September 12th, at 1:30 p.m. at Rose Creek Cottage, 2525 Garnet Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations to University of California, San Diego, Aids Research Institute, http://ari.ucsd.edu would be a wonderful way to honor Rick's memory. Cremation is being handled by San Diego Cremation Service.