Louis Richard

Louis E. Richard, MD of Petersburg, VA died at his home on April 28th, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty six years, Janet Kneeland Ross of New York. Born November 5, 1923 in Thibodaux, LA to parents Edwina M. Toups and Clarence E. Richard, Dr. Richard grew up in New Orleans, and was educated at the Jesuit High School there. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and enrolled in the Medical School in New Orleans through the Army Specialized Training Program, finishing in 1949. He interned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and worked in the public health service in New York, where he met Janet. They married in Brooklyn in 1951. Following his residency in radiology in Baltimore, MD, Dr. Richard worked at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans from 1955 to 1959. He moved with his family to Petersburg, VA in November 1959, to work at Petersburg General Hospital, where he served as chairman of the radiology department and also as Chief of Staff from 1982 to 1984, retiring in 1988. He was an avid bird lover and enjoyed racing pigeons. His other hobbies included hunting, golfing, woodworking, and watching LSU football. He was a member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, co-founder of Tri-City Radiology, and a member of the Petersburg Country Club and the Chippoax Gun Club in Prince George. He was a loving, generous father and husband with many caring friends. He is survived by his daughter, Michele and husband Charlie Bustamante of Durham, NC, son Gregory K. Richard, his wife Rose and daughter Andrea of Victoria, TX, son Dr. Stephen R. Richard, his wife Agnes Frazier Richard and their sons Michael, Marshall, and Ross of Richmond, sons Timothy H. Richard and Geoffrey T. Richard of Petersburg, a brother Charles Richard, a sister Carolyn Young, and by his beloved dog Ace. A Catholic mass will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 11 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Petersburg, followed by interment in the Catholic Cemetery, adjacent to Blandford. The family will receive friends at the residence on Thursday, May 1st from 6 - 8 PM, and for a celebration following the services on Friday. Donations may be sent to Crater Community Hospice, 840 W. Roslyn Road, Suite E, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.