Richard Ryder Dewey, MD
Feb. 7, 1929-Dec. 4, 2024
Portola Valley, California

Richard R. Dewey MD passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024, in Portola Valley, CA. Dick was born on February 7,1929 to Benjamin and Julia Dewey in Westfield NJ. He was a graduate of Cardinal Farley’s Military High School, and in 1946, enlisted in the US Army. Dick served with the 6th Infantry Division in Korea, and was honorable discharged in 1948, with the rank of Sergeant. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Dick enrolled at St. Vincent College in Latrobe PA, graduating in 1951 with dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He applied and was accepted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis MO in 1951 and graduated with distinction in 1955. From 1955 to 1958, Dick completed his internship, residency and was a Fellow at Barnes Hospital St. Louis, MO. Thereafter, in 1959, he served as Senior Resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

Dick met June Louise Schoknecht while at Washington University School of Medicine where she was a nurse at Barnes Hospital. They were married in 1956 and had two children, Richard Jr. and Valerie.

The family moved to California and Dick started his private practice of Internal Medicine in Palo Alto at the Stanford Hospital. Dick later joined the Stanford School of Medicine Clinical Faculty in 1984 and in 1994 attained the rank of Clinical Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Dewey was known for his dedication and kindness to his patients and their families, and continued to make house calls in his 80’s. His passion for caring for others never ended. Dr. Dewey was the physician to the nuns at Oakwood on the Sacred Heart campus in Atherton for 20 years. He retired from his internal medicine practice at Stanford Medical Center in 1994 and relocated from Menlo Park to Graeagle CA and Borrego Springs CA, but Dr. Dewey being Dr. Dewey, engaged in part-time practice of internal medicine through 2012.

Dick was an avid golfer and played several times a week at Stanford Golf Course, where he served as men’s club president in 1986. He annually planted impatiens on several holes at the golf course. Dick was a devoted husband and grandfather who loved wine, classical music, attended Stanford football and basketball games and was known for his dapper attire. He was upbeat until his passing and enjoyed socializing with a wide circle of friends. For many years, Dick and June worked with the NFL and helped organize the annual celebrity golf tournaments prior to the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.

Dick is survived by his son, Rich (Lynnie), daughter Valerie Soltau (Mark), three grandchildren: Richard Ryder III (Trey), Jenna Holden, and Shelby Soltau, and three great grandchildren: Ryder, Ellie and LJ. He is preceded in death by his wife, June.