C. Richard Owen, M.D.

Richard Owen, 83 of Kingsport, TN, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

He is preceded in death by parents Richard, Sr. and Grace Owen of Beaver Falls, PA and sister Donna Allen of New Monmouth, NJ.

He is survived by his wife Peg Owen of Kingsport; sister Lois Wagoner of Darlington, PA, brother Robert Owen of MO. Survivors also include his son Mark and wife Joanne of Boston, MA, son Michael of Englewood, CO, son Chris and wife Sarah of Maryville, TN and granddaughters Sarah, Leila, Shauna, and Jessica.

Born and raised in Beaver Falls, PA, Richard left there to spend three years as an Army medic before returning to his hometown to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Geneva College. He went on to graduate from Hahnemann Medical College, in Philadelphia, PA now Drexel with his Doctorate degree. He served his internship at Harrisburg Hospital, where he met his wife, Margaret Peggy Peterson.

Richard practiced general medicine for several years in his home town of Beaver Falls. He entered an anesthesiology residency in Cleveland, OH and began practicing this specialty for four years in Greeley, CO. They moved east to Kingsport, TN in 1966, where Richard worked the remainder of his career. He joined the staff at Holston Valley Hospital, and later founded the Departments of Anesthesia at Indian Path and Northside Hospitals.

In his personal time, Richard volunteered as a general practitioner and anesthesiologist at a mission hospital in the coal fields of Kentucky, before and after retirement.

During retirement he became interested in acting and writing poetry for children. He played the role of Scrooge in the Christmas Carol musical at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, played Drosselmeyer with the Bristol Ballet in The Nutcracker and the grandfather in Heidi at the Paramount Theatre with Theatre Bristol. He enjoyed writing and telling stories at Witches Wynde at the Exchange Place, where he also demonstrated blacksmithing. He was a member of the board of the Netherland Inn/Exchange Place Association.

Active in his church, he led a group of high school youth on a mission trip to Johns Island, SC. With his wife, Peg, he established the Carpenter's Helpers ministry at First Broad Street United Methodist Church in 1986.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carpenter's Helpers Ministry or John's Island Scholarship Fund in care of the church, Box 1346, Kingsport, TN.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Mickey Rainwater and Rev. Jack Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service.