PENNINGTON, Richard Davis (Dick), MD

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 09/30/2011 Richard Davis Pennington, MD "PP Doc" Dick Pennington, 78, of Pinetop/Lakeside died in his sleep Sept. 19, 2011. His generosity, humor and caring will not be forgotten by his family and many friends. Born in Phoenix June 5, 1933, to Anna and Dr. John Pennington, he attended Kenilworth School and North High where he began his competitive swimming career. He continued his education in pre-med at the University of Iowa and where he attained All-American status for four consecutive years as a freestyle swimmer for the Hawkeyes. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in 1959, followed by a urology residency at San Diego County Hospital. He practiced medicine in downtown Phoenix from 1964-1991. Dick drew the attention and admiration of many with his colorful personality and apparel. After taking early retirement in 1991, Dick and his wife of 35 years, Carol Mae, moved to Pinetop/Lakeside to fish, hunt, travel the world and enjoy their friends. Dick was one of the founders and ultimately president of the Phoenix Urologic Society. He belonged to Rotary 100 and the Medical Group Aesculapians, the American Urological Association and the Phoenix Country Club. Dick earned the rank of colonel during his 20-plus years in the Arizona Air National Guard. As a flight surgeon, he commanded the clinic at the Guard facility near Sky Harbor Airport where he developed long-lasting friendships. Once retired, Dick volunteered with the Navajo County Sheriff's Posse's Search and Rescue Organization, as well as the local hospice facility. Declining health eventually slowed him down. Dick and his former wife, Lora, raised four children: Ann Pennington of Thailand; Kate (Bill) Jackson of Colo.; Meg Pennington of Calif., and Rick Pennington (deceased). Dick has five step-children: Susan (Dan-deceased) Stenson of Arizona, John (Linda) Burchinal of Colo., Mike (Yoshiko) Burchinal of Ill., Peter (Carol) Burchinal, Melissa (Tom) Diamond both of Arizona. The blended families boast 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dick also had one brother, Dr. Jack Pennington of San Diego (deceased.) Lovable, humorous, generous, adventuresome, easy-going and gentle: a wonderful, loving man, husband, father and friend. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to "Operation Homefront", 6135 N Black Canyon Hwy, Suite 2, Phoenix, AZ 85015-1828; or Arbor Rose Assisted Living, Mesa. Dick's friends are invited to celebrate his life from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Jordan's Mexican Restaurant, 6247 N 7th Street in Phoenix.
Posted by Sharla on September 30, 2011

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