SR522: Celebrating the life of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S.


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 522
Celebrating the life of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, August 26, 2020

 

WHEREAS, Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S., a respected leader in the Hampton Roads medical community, died on July 12, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Richard “Dick” West grew up in Warren, Ohio, where he graduated from Warren G. Harding High School; he subsequently graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and earned a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Dick West served his country as a medical officer in the United States Navy and completed his surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center, then settled with his family in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, Dick West practiced general surgery in Hampton Roads for 35 years; he served as president, chief of staff, and chief of surgery at Virginia Beach General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Dick West spearheaded the establishment of and served as medical director of the Virginia Beach General Hospital Level 2 Trauma Service; and

WHEREAS, Dick West also served as chief of surgery at Sentara Bayside Hospital, medical director of the Coastal Cancer Center, and chair of the Executive Board at Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgical Center; and

WHEREAS, Dick West was a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for Virginia Beach General Hospital, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and secretary of the Virginia Beach Medical Society, and he offered his expertise to many other state and national organizations; and

WHEREAS, outside of his medical career, Dick West volunteered his time to participate in mission trips to St. Lucia and Grenada, and he shared his passion for music with others as a member of the Virginia Beach Community Chapel choir; he was also an avid amateur radio operator and enjoyed opportunities to communicate with fellow operators around the world; and

WHEREAS, Dick West will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joan; his children, Richard II, Renee, and Michele, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 522

Offered August 20, 2020
Celebrating the life of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Patron-- DeSteph

WHEREAS, Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S., a respected leader in the Hampton Roads medical community, died on July 12, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Richard “Dick” West grew up in Warren, Ohio, where he graduated from Warren G. Harding High School; he subsequently graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and earned a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Dick West served his country as a medical officer in the United States Navy and completed his surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center, then settled with his family in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, Dick West practiced general surgery in Hampton Roads for 35 years; he served as president, chief of staff, and chief of surgery at Virginia Beach General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Dick West spearheaded the establishment of and served as medical director of the Virginia Beach General Hospital Level 2 Trauma Service; and

WHEREAS, Dick West also served as chief of surgery at Sentara Bayside Hospital, medical director of the Coastal Cancer Center, and chair of the Executive Board at Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgical Center; and

WHEREAS, Dick West was a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for Virginia Beach General Hospital, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and secretary of the Virginia Beach Medical Society, and he offered his expertise to many other state and national organizations; and

WHEREAS, outside of his medical career, Dick West volunteered his time to participate in mission trips to St. Lucia and Grenada, and he shared his passion for music with others as a member of the Virginia Beach Community Chapel choir; he was also an avid amateur radio operator and enjoyed opportunities to communicate with fellow operators around the world; and

WHEREAS, Dick West will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joan; his children, Richard II, Renee, and Michele, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard Duane West, M.D., F.A.C.S., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.