Richard Armando Uruchurtu II's Obituary
Dr. Richard Armando Uruchurtu, Jr. died on March 14, 2018 at the age of 66 in Lemon Grove, California. He was born in Los Angeles, California on December 30, 1951.Richard is survived by his only son Richard Uruchurtu III, and his only grandson Richard Uruchurtu IV, aka “Rico.” His mother Dolores passed away in August of 2017 and his father is still with us today. Richard is also survived by his five siblings: Martha, Jaime, Sylvia, Norma, and Charlie, and too many cousins, nieces, and nephews to count.Richard’s career was long and storied. He originally wanted to become a priest and joined the seminary, but he was lured away by a life of rock ‘n’ roll, spending his early years touring as the lead singer and guitarist of his rock band “Genesis” before joining the Air Force. The Air Force gave Richard the opportunity to travel and go to medical school to become a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine. As a physician, Richard enlisted in the Navy to become a flight surgeon. After flying fighter jets and helicopters, Richard left the military to enter private medicine, spending years as an emergency room doctor and later a cruise ship doctor. At one point, he even enrolled in law school to become a lawyer.During his time in medicine, Richard saved hundreds of lives and helped thousands all around the world, from healing sick villagers in Laos to saving heart attack victims on commercial airliners. Even in his later years, he kept a medical kit in his closet at home to help not only family, but even friends of the family, get well.Throughout his entire life, Richard was always a lover of music and playing guitar. The rock star in him never faded. When he wasn’t playing guitar, Richard loved traveling, sci-fi movies, listening to audiobooks and the bible, and spending time with his son and other family members.Richard attended St. John of the Cross and volunteered in their food bank to help the needy. He spent his last years taking care of his aging mother whom he loved more than words could say.Richard’s death is an immense loss to his family. He was a hero to many and loved by all. While we mourn his passing and miss him immeasurably, knowing that he is now with his beloved mother and finally at peace, gives us comfort.
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