Dr. Robert Lee Richardson Jr's Obituary
Robert Lee Richardson, Jr. was born April 28, 1935 to Robert L. Richardson and Thelma C. Hastings in Paris, TN. He passed away Saturday June 8, 2024.
He attended school in Manleyville and Springville, TN. Upon graduation, he attended pre-med at UT Martin. Medical school followed at UT Memphis. Internship was served at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. In 1961 Dr. Richardson joined the Air Force as a Captain. He returned to Baptist Hospital in Memphis for a general surgery residency, followed by two years of specialized training in Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery. That was followed by an appointment to associate professor and head of training for Cardiac Surgery at UTHSC. He furthered his Cardiac training in Houston, TX and Paris, France. He was elected the second President of the UTHSC faculty as well as held many other committee positions in his tenure.
In 1977 he began his private practice in CV and Thoracic surgery with Dr. H. E. Garrett. Together, they assembled a group of 13 surgeons that covered all hospitals in the city. Dr. Richardson served as Chairman of the Board for the Cardiovascular Center for 12 years. The Richardson Family Educational Trust, of which he was a Benefactor, was formed in 1997. His love of helping young men and women further their education and careers in medicine held a special place in his heart. Also, for several decades, he supported the University of Memphis and was awarded the Ralph Hatley Silver M Award in 2002 in recognition of this support.
He spent most of his practice years at Methodist Hospital doing heart surgery. The crew of people that worked with him in room 23 were his pride and joy. Valve surgery was their primary focus and Dr. Richardson’s specialty. During these years he served the hospital as Associate Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Senior Leadership Council, and Chairman of the Thoracic Cardiovascular Department, as well as other committees. He was founder of MetroCare Physicians which is a practice arm of Methodist Physicians.
Upon retiring from surgery, he along with some family members, purchased Memphis Plywood Corporation, Incorporated in 1920. This company has grown significantly over the last two decades and supplies fixtures to many buildings in the Eastern USA. Dr. Richardson served as Chairman of the Board for eleven years during this growth period.
He was predeceased by wife Jane Richardson and son Dr. Robert “Bo” Richardson III (Dawn). He leaves his children John Stewart (Joni), James “Randy” Richardson (Cathy), Susan Horn (Steve) and June White (Dave). Dr. Richardson and Jenny Mitchell were married in 1993. She has two sons: Hunter Mitchell (Lisa) and Dr. Gregg Mitchell (Amy). He also leaves fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
The family will be having a private graveside service, and requests that any memorials be sent to either the American Heart Association, Christ Church Memphis, or the Richardson Family Educational Trust PO Box 1090 Paris, TN 38242-1090.
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