Richard Rider Stephenson

1936 - 2026

Richard Rider Stephenson, M.D., beloved husband, father, grandfather and physician passed away on March 26, 2026. Richard was born on April 21, 1936. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann, daughter, Deborah and his grandchildren; Cara, Jacob, Joshua, Caleb and Ben and great grandsons; Brayden, Liam and Malachi.

After graduating from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1962, he interned at Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, where he met and married Mary Ann. Two years active duty in the Navy followed and then four years in the Reserves being discharged with the rank of Lt. Commander. After active duty, he went back to MD and did one year of surgical residency at Union Memorial. He then decided to go into Dermatology and studied at the University of Pennsylvania for one year, and two years at the University of Maryland. He went into practice with Dr. Vail Robinson for one year in Towson, MD.

The Eastern Shore beckoned Dick to come and open a practice in Easton where there was no dermatologist, and the family moved in 1971. Even though he kept busy with the practice, he still found time to help establish the Neighborhood Service Center and was its first treasurer. Hiis heart of compassion took him to several nursing homes and the State hospital in Cambridge to visit patients so they wouldn't have to come to the office.

In his later years, he helped establish the House of Prayer and Training Center where he served as treasurer, and in 2010, was ordained with his wife, a minister through Christian International, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He was the expression of a "workplace minister" in his practice, as he always had time to listen to his patient's problems - much to the chagrin of the staff trying to keep him on schedule. He was greatly loved and greatly missed after retiring. He accomplished two main goals in his life, becoming a physician and a Naval officer. The Lord Jesus says, "Well done my good and faithful servant". Matthew 25:21.