Rick was born Jan. 31, 1933. He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from Roosevelt High School before attending the University of Iowa. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. After graduating from medical school at the University of Iowa in 1959, he interned at Highland Alameda in Oakland, Calif., and entered a Mayo Fellowship in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, before joining the staff at Mayo in 1966. He was the first OB-GYN resident to complete the residency exchange program at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Ill.
Rick was a gentle man who appreciated his life. He was honored to serve as a Mayo physician. His quiet, kindly manner served his patients, family and friends alike.
His six grandchildren knew that they were uniquely important to Rick, whether fishing for “the big one,” learning to use his tools to build a bird house, or inspiring them to do their best. His trails through the woods taught them to appreciate and protect nature. Family reunions at the cabin and in Rochester, with Jo’s sister’s family George and Nancy Turner, were special times for the whole family.
Rick retired in 1992, at age 60, when he and Jo moved to their cabin the family built together. In 2005, they moved to Charter House.
Rick’s parents and sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn (Muto) Sheldon; and children, Suzi (Allen) Brown, of Rochester and their children Blair, her husband, Peter Christenson, and Tony Brown; Kris (Scott) Havlick of Boulder, Colo., and their children, Ian and Miles; and Tim and his wife, Lili Herbert and their children, Brooks Rice and Ruth of St. Paul.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Obituary courtesy of Post-Bulletin.