Dr. Richard “Doc” Herrick

Dr. Richard “Doc” Herrick, born February 4th, 1945, in New Martinsville, WV., joined his Lord and Savior on February 20th, 2024, while residing in Redington Beach, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Helen, and his youngest brother Roch.

Richard was a devout Roman Catholic and a dedicated member of the adult choir at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was the founding charter member of the Blessed Sacrament Knights of Columbus Council, and the Treasure Island Rotary Club. He was a founding member and past president of the Southeastern Hand Club (now Society), a restricted organization for Hand Surgeons who were both Clinicians and teachers and who had demonstrated their prowess and excellence in Hand Surgery.  He founded many Regional Medical sports committees to promote and protect the health and safety of Athletes around the world.

Dr. Herrick was a scholarship recipient at the University of Notre Dame, in chemistry, and philosophy. He continued his undergraduate studies at WVU as a pre-med student and received an early admission to West Virginia University School of Medicine, where he received his MD degree in 1971.  He attained his subspecialty training in Austin TX, New Orleans, LA at the Ochsner Clinic, and Hand & Microvascular Fellowship in Louisville, KY at the renowned Kleinert Kutz Hand Center. He continued to pursue extensive training and certification in other related fields such as Neurological Orthopaedics, etc. He never stopped learning and was a pioneering practitioner of innovative technologies.

Richard volunteered for over 50 years to sports organizations as a physician, referee, and administrator. He was involved in 8 Olympic Games, countless World Games, and the Paralympic movement.  He was humbled by the international and national accolades and recognition that he received regularly. He considered one of his most rewarding achievements and the highlight of his career: “Teacher of the Year”.  Where he devoted the final years of his medical career to the Native American Communities of North America.

He was a lifelong athlete. Including HS all-American Status recognition in Football to an Internationally ranked Weightlifter and Powerlifter with medals galore. He enjoyed white-water canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, mountain hiking, and recreational dog sled mushing, especially in the company of his family. His last eight years saw his passion turn to voice. Under the tutelage of Giorgio and Melody Aristo, he realized some measure of excellence and opportunities to share his baritone performances on stage and in his church Choir and lately the International Chorale under the baton of Fred Eschenfelder.

He was a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and 19 other National and International medical organizations.

Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Stella, his daughter, Sophia Marie (Steve), son Rick (Sherry), son Jahn (Cindy), grandchildren April and Cassie, great-grandchildren Kayland and Alice and his siblings Pat, Anita, Chris, Tim, Jan, Chuck, Mark, and Bob.

Visitation for Dr. Herrick will be Friday, March 1st from 5pm – 7pm EST with a Rosary at 6:30 led by the Knights of Columbus. It will be held at Taylor Funeral Home, 5300 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, FL 33781

There will be a musical tribute on Saturday, March 2nd beginning at 10:40 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11565 66th Avenue North, Seminole, FL 33772

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Heart Association. https://www.stroke.org/

or the Arthritis Foundation. https://www.americanarthritisfoundation.org/

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and his brethren in the Knights of Columbus.