1911
Dr.
2010
Dr. Donald Richter
October 26, 1911 — December 25, 2010
Donald A. Richter, MD, age 99, of Kiwassa Road, Saranac Lake, NY died Saturday December 25, 2010at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, VT.
Born October 26, 1911 in Englewood, NJ, he was the son of Carl and Estelle (Growney) Richter.
Donald graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1935. He served in World War II with the rank of Captain. He was trained for and specialized in anesthesia during the war and he, a nurse, and a surgeon were a team on the battle front, caring for injured soldiers. When the war ended he was further trained in anesthesia under the direction of Dr. Virginia Apgar, who developed the Apgar test for newborns in use today. After he finished his residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, he, his wife and first three children then settled in Saranac Lake where he established the first anesthesia department in 1946. He practiced medicine here for thirty years. On his retirement, he became a member of the Board of Directors of the Voluntary Health Association of Saranac Lake and also became President of that group. He was President of the County Medical Society and also elected Chief of Staff of the Lake Placid Memorial Hospital. He was elected Chief of Staff of the Saranac Lake General Hospital four times.
In 1948, he was inducted into membership in the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake and became President in 1980. Until recently, he was still active as an honorary member. Dr. Richter was also named a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance and better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
During his lifetime, he was interested in wood working, gardening, sailing, ham radio and hunting.
He is survived by his wife of seventy two years Doris (Joyce) Richter of Saranac Lake, five children, Susan Gardiner of Portland, Oregon, Nancy Domas of Mast Hope, PA, Peter Richter of Anchorage, Alaska, Jane Sandberg of Jericho, VT, and Robert Richter of Berne, NY, twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one daughter Linda Lewis and two grandchildren Sean Gardiner and Rachel Domas.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Wednesday December 29, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Voluntary Health Association or the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake in care of the funeral home. Family and friends are also invited to share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
Born October 26, 1911 in Englewood, NJ, he was the son of Carl and Estelle (Growney) Richter.
Donald graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1935. He served in World War II with the rank of Captain. He was trained for and specialized in anesthesia during the war and he, a nurse, and a surgeon were a team on the battle front, caring for injured soldiers. When the war ended he was further trained in anesthesia under the direction of Dr. Virginia Apgar, who developed the Apgar test for newborns in use today. After he finished his residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, he, his wife and first three children then settled in Saranac Lake where he established the first anesthesia department in 1946. He practiced medicine here for thirty years. On his retirement, he became a member of the Board of Directors of the Voluntary Health Association of Saranac Lake and also became President of that group. He was President of the County Medical Society and also elected Chief of Staff of the Lake Placid Memorial Hospital. He was elected Chief of Staff of the Saranac Lake General Hospital four times.
In 1948, he was inducted into membership in the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake and became President in 1980. Until recently, he was still active as an honorary member. Dr. Richter was also named a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance and better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
During his lifetime, he was interested in wood working, gardening, sailing, ham radio and hunting.
He is survived by his wife of seventy two years Doris (Joyce) Richter of Saranac Lake, five children, Susan Gardiner of Portland, Oregon, Nancy Domas of Mast Hope, PA, Peter Richter of Anchorage, Alaska, Jane Sandberg of Jericho, VT, and Robert Richter of Berne, NY, twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one daughter Linda Lewis and two grandchildren Sean Gardiner and Rachel Domas.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Wednesday December 29, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Voluntary Health Association or the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake in care of the funeral home. Family and friends are also invited to share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Donald Richter, please visit our flower store.
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