Richard G. Butler

Richard Graham Butler, MD, was born in Kokomo, Indiana on June 22, 1928 to Floyd and Bertha (Meatze) Butler. He died on December 4, 2014 at Littleton Adventist Hospital, Colorado. Dick moved to Detroit with his family at age 14 and graduated from Northwestern High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Korea 1946-1948, and graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1954. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Wayne County General Hospital, serving as chief resident in surgery (ophthalmology) from April 1958-1959. He married Margery Ann Long on April 18, 1953 and they had three children: Richard Graham Jr. (Michele), Loralee Rupp (Jeffrey), and Douglas (Angee). Dick opened his medical practice in Dearborn and faithfully served his patients from 1959-1991, in addition to serving as Chief of Staff at Annapolis Hospital in Wayne, Michigan during the 1970's. Dick greatly enjoyed the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; learning about and adopting new computer technology; and spending time with family sailing on Lake Erie, skiing, and playing tennis at the Dearborn Fairlane Club. In retirement Dick and Marge moved to Sarasota, Florida, where for 15 years they greatly enjoyed the warm climate as well as friendships, tennis and golf at Stoneybrook on Palmer Ranch. In 2011, Dick and Marge moved to Windcrest retirement community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado to be near son Doug and his family, where Dick quickly became involved in helping fellow Windcrest residents set up and resolve computer problems and was also active in several committees and user groups. Dick was known for his intellectual curiosity; for his love of classical music, computer technology, chocolate and Pepsi; and for his great sense of humor, particularly his ability to crack puns off-the-cuff. He was able to crack a few jokes even in the last few days of hospitalization before his death. Dick lived a long and successful life, caring for patients, raising a family, and lovingly caring for Marge for the last few years after she suffered a series of strokes. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Eleanor, Doris, and Barbara, and nieces Monica and Lynn. He is survived by his wife, Margery, his three children, seven grandchildren (Kathryn, Joseph, Alexandra, Dana, Ethan, Megan, and Kailin), nieces, nephews and in-laws, who all cherish every moment they had with him. A private memorial service will be held in Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wayne State University School of Medicine (go.wayne.edu/give-medicine). Please share your memories of Dick and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.