Obituary: Dr. Richard Albert Petty

Dr. Richard Albert Petty, 95, passed away Aug. 31, 2009, at his home in Carson City. Dr. Petty was born Jan. 10, 1914, in Hooppole, Ill.

"Dick" received his early education in Mt. Carroll and his undergraduate degree in zoology from Illinois' Findlay College in 1935, followed by a M.S. in parasitology at Northwestern University. He earned his B.M. and M.D. degrees from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in 1940. He served his rotating internship in San Francisco at Southern Pacific General Hospital in 1940-41 before being recruited to begin his medical practice in Carson City. This new practice was interrupted when he served 31/2 years in the U.S. Navy, 21/2 of those in five combat areas.

In addition to his general practice from 1941 to 1972, Dick held part-time contracts as state prison physician from 1941-71, medical consultant with the Department of Rehabilitation from 1947-71 and with the Disability Determination Unit of Social Security from 1954-71. Nevada Governors Charles Russell, Grant Sawyer and Paul Laxalt called upon him to serve on the State Hospital Advisory Board from 1952 to 1963, the State Board of Medical Examiners from 1960-1969 and the State Welfare Board from 1968-72. Included among his post-graduate studies were the School of Aviation Medicine at Pensacola, Flor., in 1945, Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University's Institute of Physical Medicine from 1947 to 1950, and the School of Alcohol Studies at the University of Utah in 1956.

He served on Carson-Tahoe Hospitals Board of Trustees in 1947-48, 1959-60 and again in 1963. He was elected chief of the medical staff in 1953. During the VIII Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley in 1960 was accepted as a member of the Fellowship of Olympics Physicians.

Dick was a member of the American Medical Association and Nevada State Medical Association for 32 years. He is a past president of the State Medical Association and the Nevada Division of the Cancer Society, a life member of the National Rehabilitation Association, and a charter member of the National Association of Disability Examiners.

His writings in the 1960s and 1970s on the philosophy of health and prolongation of life were provocative essays on subjects finally being legislated today. Following his retirement from active practice, he became chief medical advisor to the Nevada Industrial Commission, a post he held until 1981.

Long noted for his community service, Dick was the recipient of the A.H. Robbins Award for "outstanding medical practice and community service" from the Nevada State Medical Association in 1977. Not all has been work, however, for Dr. Petty. He has been a member of Lodge #1, F&AM and active member of Carson City Rotary Club since 1941. As a former president, he enjoyed the club's fellowship and activities. He is known for his passionate involvement in his hobbies-hunting, fishing, golf and music.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, in 2006, a brother, William and a sister, Vivian Deets.

Dick will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Beverly Davenport and her husband, Donald "Gooch" of Flint, Texas, and Patricia Geiger and her husband, John of The Dalles, Ore.; grandson, Richard Albert Davenport and his wife, Nicole of Washoe Valley; and a great-granddaughter, Shalece Davenport; also numerous nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A Memorial Service for Dr. Petty will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Carson City. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Carson-Tahoe Hospital, First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Walton's Chapel of the Valley.