Obituary

Dr. Richard henry sibley, 76, of charleston, wv, passed away on friday, august 17, 2018, at arthur b. Hodges center following an illness of frontotemporal dementia.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, susan sibley of charleston, wv:

sister, sally atkins and brother-in-law steve atkins of charleston, wv; nephew, bradley atkins of columbus, oh; daughters, laura sibley and allison sibley; son-in-law, bill luck; and three grandchildren, ava, lawrence and theo luck, all of washington, dc.

Richard was born january 27, 1942, to the late hylda miller and robert luther sibley jr., who was killed in wwii in sicily when dick was one and half years old. “dick,” which many people called him, was raised on 21st street in nitro, wv, by his mother and grandparents, dr. Robert luther sr. And jane sibley. He was a boy scout and became an eagle scout. As a teenager, dick worked as a lifeguard at lake chiweva in cross lanes and at kroger to make money to buy his own car.

He attended virginia tech in blacksburg, va, where he competed on the collegiate swim team. He started studying engineering, but was called to become a doctor and transferred to wvu pre-med program, finishing in 1963, followed by medical school at wvu, graduating in 1967. His internship was at minneapolis hennepin county hospital, and then his residency at oklahoma city in orthopedics. He completed a hand specialty at duke in 1971. During this time, he had a son, now deceased, robert peck sibley, followed by identical twin daughters, laura and allison.

In 1972, dick moved his family to jacksonville, fl, and set up his first practice. Then in 1976, he followed “country roads” home to charleston, wv, where he established his orthopedic practice, which spanned more than 30 years. He operated on over 35,000 patients in the greater kanawha valley area. Volunteering locally at the cerebral palsy clinic, he also made nine consecutive trips to haiti performing surgery on those in need for the crudem foundation at the local hospital in milot, haiti.

One of dick’s greatest joys was his family. No matter how busy, he always made time for his wife and children. As a family, they enjoyed skiing, fishing, and traveling together.

He was a great father. He attended his kids’ activities and was always there to support them. His nephew, with richard as a role model, became an er nurse and is currently advancing his career in the medical field.

During his retirement, richard remained active in the first presbyterian church of charleston and was a member of the local rotary club. He played golf and continued to visit fernandina beach, fl, where he enjoyed deep sea fishing. He also loved skiing and biking with his friends on trips and the wvu mountaineers!

Funeral services will be held 11 a.M. Wednesday, august 22, at the first presbyterian church at 16 leon sullivan way, charleston, wv, with visitation preceding at 10 a.M. In the ruffner parlor. Burial will follow at cunningham memorial park in st. Albans.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to his favorite charities of habitat for humanity of kanawha & putnam, (304) 720-0141, at 815 court street, charleston, wv 25301 or the men’s shelter of kanawha valley fellowship home, (304) 342-8051 at 1121 virginia street e, charleston, wv 25301.

Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston, is in charge of arrangements.