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BORN
1942
DIED
2025
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Richard Carruthers Obituary
October 18, 1942 - June 13, 2025
Richard Lowell (Dick) Carruthers was born in Keosauqua, Iowa on October 18, 1942, and died in Rancho Mirage, California June 13, 2025. The oldest son of Bill and Evelyn Carruthers, he is survived by sisters Sue Gilchrist and Deb Kirchner, brothers Steve (Nedra), Fred, and Dan (Paula) Carruthers, children Andrea, Todd (Jodi) and Scott (Glynna) Carruthers, grandchildren Charles and Theo Grimes, and Sophie Carruthers, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings Charlotte Overstreet and Darrell Carruthers.
Dick came from humble beginnings, becoming known as a reliable hard-worker at a young age. He put himself through school, beginning a career as an anesthesiologist shortly after marrying Marcy Kaiser in 1966. Dick practiced anesthesiology - which he was passionate about and loved his entire career - in Davenport from the mid 1970s until he retired in the 2010s.
It's not an exaggeration to say Dick became a new person when he became a grandfather and retired from medical practice. The impatient farm kid delighted in traveling around the US and Europe; cooking his mother's old recipes and experimenting with exotics like French onion soup, cacio e pepe and sous-vide; fishing with his grandsons; and, shopping with his granddaughter. He moved to Rancho Mirage, California year-round in 2018 and quickly developed deep roots in a community of delightful golf-loving friends. Several hosted a party for his last birthday in October 2024, a particularly happy memory for many close to Dick.
Dick's final days, while not a surprise, came as a hard shock. Typical of him, he knew the end was coming well before anyone else. Reflecting on that now, his final words to his grandchildren sum up his life and legacy, and are inspiration:
I've had a great, long life. I hope you have a great, long life too. You're off to a helluva start.
An interment ceremony will take place in Keosauqua, Iowa on August 4, 2025, followed by a celebration of life in Rancho Mirage to be announced at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Carruthers
Sponsored by Rose Mortuaries & Cremation - Rancho Mirage.
6 Entries
Ricky Sedgwick DO
July 1, 2025
Dick was a great mentor early in my career at Davenport Medical Center and Genesis Medical Center! He was well liked by colleagues, nursing staff and patients. It´s nice to see that he enjoyed his retirement doing the things he loved with his family and friends and will truly be missed!!
David Riehn DO FAOCA
June 27, 2025
Dr Carruthers was one of the attendings when i was an intern at Davenport Medical Center, and my rotating with him and Mike Parisi DO cemented my future as an Anesthesiologist. He was and always will be one of my mentors . He loved his family and being an anesthesiologist. He was a good man
With Respect,
David Riehn DO FAOCA
Julie Shannan
June 23, 2025
Dick was Jeremy´s Dr. for his pre kindergarten check-up. He joked with him then told him he was going to have to get some shots. Jeremy´s response was don´t think I´ll like that much!!
Randal " Jay" Overstreet
June 21, 2025
An inspirational Uncle who was very positive, yet tough aswell. Did the most with what God gave him. Retirement was way to short for him.
Kurt Snay
June 21, 2025
As a friend of his children, growing up in Walcott, Iowa, Dick thought I might be interested in the health care field and invited me to shadow him - I was in highschool at the time. It was a transformative experience for me, knowing that I had a career path at a time when teenagers are often wondering what to do when highschool ends. I visited him a few times at the old osteopathic hospital in Davenport, where Dick spent much of his career. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and he impressed upon me what it meant to find something you would enjoy so much that the hard work was simply part of the greater experience. A committed, generous, and fun-loving man, his impact on his patients, family members and friends were deeply felt. I was fortunate to know him.
Chuck Ruhl
June 21, 2025
Dick was a great man. He made our world a better place and will be missed.
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Rose Mortuaries & Cremation - Rancho Mirage71555 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
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