Dr. H. Richard Ward of Mifflinburg, departed this life on August 27, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, a place where he provided years of compassionate care to numerous patients.
Dr. Ward, known as “Doc” or “Dick” was born on April 20, 1931 to Harold and Annabelle (Squires) Ward. During his youth, Dick worked on the family farm, delivered newspapers on horseback and demonstrated a lifelong and strong work ethic by undertaking various work to help support his family.
Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1954 where he was selected as a medical corpsman, receiving training at Bethesda Medical Hospital including assisting former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. Dick was the only medical corpsman assigned to Istanbul, Turkey where he became fluent in the Turkish language. His time as a medical corpsman would set the course of his life devoted to the practice of medicine. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Dick obtained his Bachelors and Masters’ degrees from Washington and Jefferson College. He then pursued his medical studies at Hahnemann University School of Medicine.
Dick married the love of his life, Donna Mowrey, on August 17, 1961 and then completed his residency at Harrisburg Medical Hospital. During his residency, Dick was awarded a commendation from the Governor of Pennsylvania for his bravery with aiding victims of the 1962 Steelton train crash.
Dick and Donna moved to Mifflinburg in 1963 where he practiced medicine with Dr. William Musser before starting his own practice in 1974. As a doctor, Dick would go to any lengths to care for his patients including making house calls at any time during the day or night even traveling by snowmobile during a snow storm to deliver a baby. Delivering babies was a joy to Dick and he welcomed over 2,200 babies into the world. Dick also served on the boards of Evangelical Community Hospital and the Mifflinburg School District. Upon his retirement in 1999, he traveled with Donna, enjoyed golfing with friends, and most of all spending time with his family.
Dick will be remembered as a devoted doctor, husband, father, and friend whose faith in the Lord was steadfast throughout his life. He was a man of quiet strength with a gentle smile and witty sense of humor that provided for his family and community.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Donna and six children: Darin Ward, of Lewisburg, Devin Ward, of Mt. Arroyo Grande, CA, Dana (Melinda) Ward, of Binghamton, NY, Daniette (Vincent) Kane, Beaver, PA, Danielle Ward, of New Castle, DE, Darica Ward, of Lewes, DE; his grandchildren, Darius, David, Samantha and Christopher Ward.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Bovaird, Marianne Sheley, and Racheal Beattie.
The family will receive friends at Adamo’s,16 Walnut Street, Mifflinburg on Thursday, August 31 from 5-8 PM. A private family service will be held on Friday, September 1 with burial at Morningside Cemetery in Dubois, PA.
If desired contributions may be made to the H. Richard Ward, M.D. scholarship fund, C/O Mifflinburg Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 186, Mifflinburg, PA 17844, that will benefit students at Mifflinburg High School pursuing a medical career.