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Richard Edward "Dick" Sledden died peacefully on December 13, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 82. Dick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Angela "Angi" B. Sledden and his daughters, Mary Sledden of San Antonio, TX and Elizabeth Dybell of Houston, TX. He also leaves behind close family members to include David Dybell, Fred Scimone, Selim Scimone, Kurt Scimone, Ruth and Lee Wymer and Bob Bruce. Dick was born on April 9, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Felix Edward Sledden and Caroline Sledden, née Puszynski. Dick attended Little Flower School and high school in Brooklyn where he showed great ability in track and field, earning the moniker of school hero for his swift feet and ability to garner the win in relays. After high school, Dick entered Fordham University where he completed his pre-med coursework; he then applied and was accepted to Yale University. Due to his outstanding academic excellence, Dick was the first graduate of a Jesuit college to be accepted at Yale University in 20 years. At Yale, Dick not only excelled in his medical courses, he also met the true and only love of his life, Angela B Scimone, who was working in the Yale School of Medicine's Pharmaceutical department. Dick pursued Angela for two years before she finally accepted his proposal of marriage. Then, Dick graduated from Yale School of Medicine, moved with Angela to Buffalo, NY for his internship, and, most importantly, Dick and Angi welcomed their first daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Immediately upon completion of his internship, Dick was drafted into the army medical corps, serving at Fort Dix. While at Fort Dix, Dick earned the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement. In 1964, Dick, Angi and Elizabeth were sent to Karachi, Pakistan, where Dick was the physician for all embassy and military personnel. Angi and Elizabeth were air-evacuated to New York, when the Indo-Pakistani war broke out. Before Dick could return to the States, they were pleasantly surprised by the early arrival of their second daughter, Mary Theresa to the world. After returning from Pakistan, Dick moved the family to Houston where he started his private family practice. In all his years of treating patients, he was well-loved and known for his compassion and dedication, even making house calls and having patients come to his home when necessary. Dick was recalled to active duty while in the Army Reserves to support Desert Storm and was stationed at Fort Carson, CO as a Major in the Medical Corps. Once again, his focus on excellence in medicine and leadership earned him the Army Achievement Medal for setting the bar for professional work standards. Dick and Angi moved to Humbolt, AZ after he retired from private practice in 2000. They then moved to San Antonio in 2005 to be closer to their daughters. Dick enjoyed traveling, gardening, golf, sci-fi books and movies. As with everything else in his life, he used these activities to strengthen the bonds with his family and friends. He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus for 26 years, serving as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Dick was a rare man. He lived his faith, having accepted Christ at a young age, and was dedicated to his calling as a doctor; he was devoted to his family and loved them unconditionally. In turn, he was loved by all who were blessed to know him or were patients under his care. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Services will be Saturday, December 19th at 9:30 at St Anthony Claret Catholic Church, 6150 Roft Rd, SA TX 78253. Flowers can be sent to Mission Park Funeral Chapel 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr SA, TX 78230

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Richard Sledden

April 9, 1933 - December 13, 2015