Dr. Richard Timmons
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is to make people feel better” was something friends and family of Dr. Richard Timmons heard him often say. He said those very words the week of his death on Dec. 3, 2019 at 92 years old.
Dr. Timmons, born in Cleveland, OH on Jan. 25, 1927 to Donald Barnes Timmons and Mary Poe Timmons, spent his early years in New Jersey. He served in the U.S. Navy from early 1945 to mid-1946, after which he attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, graduating in 1950.
He moved to Phoenix after taking a job at TRW and enjoyed traveling around the Desert Southwest for the next several years. He then enrolled in medical school at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, graduating in 1958. He completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix and began his medical career as a General Practitioner / Family Practice doctor. He became a Charter Member and a Life Member of the Arizona Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) in Phoenix.
Dr. Timmons was in private practice from 1958-1988, then went into Occupational Medicine as Physician / Medical Director at Garrett / Allied Signal / Honeywell Aerospace. He was certified as an Aviation Medical Examiner by the FAA and performed many pilot physicals and was also certified as a Medical Review Officer (MRO) and managed the Federal drug screening program for Honeywell, as well as cared for all the company employees. He retired in 2014 at 87 years old after a career that spanned over 56 years of helping others to “feel better.”
Not only did he love medicine, he was also an avid photographer and was the “unofficial photographer” for many events, such as weddings, political activities, church functions, etc.
Dr. Timmons was active in his church, Grace Bible Church, singing in the choir for 16 years and served as the “unofficial doctor” for the choir and members of the congregation when needed. He used his extensive medical knowledge, experience, and common sense approach to the practice of medicine to enrich and bless those with whom he came in contact.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Donna; 2 sons, Rod and Steve (Deborah) Timmons; 1 daughter, Sarah Perahia (Eldad); 2 stepchildren, Matthew and Nicole Carver; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, John, Robert, and Jim; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His brother, Frank Timmons, and a foster brother, Eddie Eng, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be Friday, Jan. 31, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church, 19280 N. 99th Avenue, Sun City, AZ.