Richard K. Mead, MD, FACP, 85, died on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 at Rhode Island Hospital in the company of his beloved wife, Virginia Irma (Abrams) Mead.

He was born in Houston, Texas on Oct. 18, 1930, of the late Brian Mead and Lucy (Key) Mead. His secondary education was conducted in New York and completed at Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland. He received a BS from Haverford College (Class of ’52) and received his MD from Cornell School of Medicine (Class of ’56). He began his medical training at RI Hospital from 1956 to 1958 and continued with the US Navy (Sasebo, Japan) from 1958-1960.

After the completion of his Navy service commitment, he returned to a fellowship in cardiology at RI Hospital (1960-1962). Richard went on to enjoy a long, successful career as a primary care physician and cardiologist until he retired in 2000. He loved the practice of medicine and considered the lasting relationships with his patients as an extension of his life and family. He participated in the start-up of the Brown Medical School as an instructor in clinical medicine, advancing to the position of associate professor and eventually to associate professor emeritus. He was presented with the Teaching Award by the RI Hospital House Staff in 1986 and the Laureate Award from the American College of Physicians in 1995. He was a board member of the Providence Child Guidance Clinic, Hattie Ide Chafee Home and former chairman of the RI Branch of the Episcopal Church Foundation, and former senior warden St. John's Episcopal church in Barrington. As an Eagle Scout he continued as Assistant Scout Master and was a member of the Barrington Yacht Club and the Harwich Guild of Artists.

A lover of music, he played the piano and sang with various groups including the Haverford Glee Club, University Glee Club, Central Congregational Church Choir (Providence), St. John’s Episcopal Church (Barrington) and St Christopher’s Episcopal Church (Chatham, Mass.) In addition he loved literature and even more so, books and book collecting.

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, his son Carl Mead (MaryBeth), daughter Kristen Materne (David), grandchildren Maximilian and Haley Mead, Brian and Beatrice Materne. He was the brother of Donald Mead  and the late Brian Mead Jr. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and a bevy of cousins.

The funeral service was Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church.

Memorial contributions to his memory may be made to Haverford College, 370 Lancaster, Ave, Haverford, PA 19041, Weil Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 or Department of Cardiology, RI Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02905.