Dr. Richard Peoples

PEOPLES

Richard B., M.D.

Dr. Richard B. Peoples died December 11, 2014, at age 86 in Vitas Hospice in Fort Worth, TX. His family was at his side and gave him a sendoff toast.

He was born to Joseph and Beulah Peoples in Aliquippa, PA. Shortly after his birth they moved to Royersford, PA, where he attended Royersford Schools. He went on to graduate from Ursinas College and Jefferson Medical School in 1954. He got his first taste of California when he enlisted in the United States Navy to do his internship. He loved his time in the navy and was very patriotic. He decided to become an Orthopedic Surgeon and did his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio from 1958-1961, where he became chief resident. He joined Dr, James Pollex in practice which was known as Peoples, Pollex and Herkimer. He practiced Orthopedics conservatively, compassionately and honestly.

He returned to his beloved California in 1977, where he lived for 18 years. In 1995, he returned to Toledo to be closer to old friends and his special French River Cottage in Canada, where he had been going for 51 years. He moved to Fort Worth, TX in 2012, with his wife Sharon when she retired from nursing.

Dick enjoyed life and everything about it. He loved his family with a passion. His gregarious nature earned him friends that were forever. He also loved theater, singing, classical and jazz music, fine dining, good wine, golf and people. He was a joke teller, loved stories and gave great hugs. Seeing America behind the wheel of his motor home was one of his favorite pastimes.

He loved the German language. On a month long driving trip through Germany he was proud to be able to converse with people in their native language. He was very generous with his time and will leave a gap in all our lives, but also magnificent memories. He is missed.

He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 26 years; his daughters, Susan (David) Warner, Plymouth, CA and Beth (David) Binnion, Hillsboro, OH; sons, Greg (Andre) Peoples, Denver, CO and Jeff (Stacey), Aurora, CO; stepchildren, Drs. Sherri (Ron) Burke, Kelly (Daniel) Prater and Michael (Jeanine) Madden of Texas; seventeen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. A sister Helen Joann Peters of Denver, CO also survives. He was predeceased by his parents; first wife, Dorothy Post Peoples, and siblings, Betty Frey and Dorothy Shaw.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairgreen Church, Toledo, OH, sometime in the spring of 2015. An announcement will be in The Blade.