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Richard William Gurich, M.D., 57, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama passed away Monday, December 10, 2012 at DCH Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Orrville, Ohio to Richard and Lois Gurich. He attended Bethany College, where he was honored with a plaque as the Outstanding Chemistry Student of 1977, which still hangs today in the Chemistry Department. He then graduated summa cum laude, with a degree in Chemistry. Dr. Gurich then went on to graduate from Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, obtaining his medical degree in three years. He completed his internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University, and completed fellowship training in Nephrology at the University of California-San Francisco. It was during his time at Northwestern that he met and married his wife of 29 years, Joyce Conway.
Dr. Gurich held a faculty appointment at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas for 9 years. During this tenure, he ran two research labs, evaluating the role of the kidneys in blood pressure control. In addition to research, he performed clinical duties as an attending physician, and participated in medical resident education/training. He then moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to enter into private practice. He was a partner at Tuscaloosa Nephrology Associates/Tuscaloosa Home Dialysis for 18 years, providing dialysis and medical care to patients in West Alabama. He also served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Northport DCH in 1999. Dr. Gurich volunteered his time to provide Renal lectures to medical students at University of Alabama School of Medicine-Tuscaloosa Program, during their rotations at DCH Regional Medical Center. Dr. Gurich always said that teaching was the best part of his job.
Rich stayed active throughout his entire life. He loved to play golf and tennis, devoting most of his evenings to playing in various men's leagues. He became active in the Tuscaloosa Tennis Association, forming many friendships during this time. He'll always be remembered for his one-handed backhand and frustrating second serve. When not on the tennis court, Rich loved to be around the dinner table with his family and two dogs.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce, his beloved two children, Trey and Jill, his loving daughter-in-law, Dianna Thomas Gurich, and his two faithful dogs, Sophie and Sadie. Also surviving him are his parents, Richard and Lois, his sisters, Nancy and Susan, his brother Dale and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be James M. Conway, John G. Conway, John Morgan Stephens IV, Mark Andrew Scogin Jr., Dan H. Schulze, Gary Ramdeen M.D., Reiner Goers, and James Mannah.
Honorary pallbearers are Tuscaloosa Nephrology Associates, Tuscaloosa Home Dialysis, DaVita Dialysis, Drs. Givhan, McKenzie and Lake, all DCH physicians and staff, the Tuscaloosa Tennis Association, and lastly, all of his patients.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Richard William Gurich Memorial Fund at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Donations can be sent to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 650 Clinic Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36688.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012 at First Wesleyan Church from 6 to 8 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 AM Friday, December 14, 2012 at First Wesleyan Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 8, 2013
Anne and Kathleen
Thinking of you all as Rich's first anniversary approaches. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. x
August 12, 2013
Gary Winey
To the family,
Sorry for the belated entry but I no longer live in Orrville. We had our 40th high school reunion this last weekend and that is when I heard about Rich. He was one of the guys I was going to look for that night.
Mrs. Gurich, I don't know if you remember me after all these years, but I enjoyed being in a couple of your English classes during high school.
December 29, 2012
Joyce,
Eli and I were so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cindy and Eli Howell
December 20, 2012
Regina Hughes
My heart goes out to the Gurich Family.Dr.G will surely be missed.Such a caring doctor @ person...Patient since 2010..Regina Hughes
December 19, 2012
Quinton Spencer
Dr. Gurich was a great doctor. He took care of both my parents, an aunt and now myself. He will surely be missed
December 18, 2012
Coni (Cline) Garver
To the whole Gurich Family, I am sending my sincere condolences. Richard was a classmate at Orrville High School and his mother was one of my favorite teachers. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
December 15, 2012
To: The Gurich Family,I Was So Very,Very Sorry, To Hear About My "Wonderful Kidney Doctor,"He Will Be Greatly,Missed!You All Have My Condolences!Please! Take Care Of Each Other!Mrs.Ada M.Lowe(Northport,Ala.)
December 15, 2012
Mark Binnig
I never knew Richard, but I remember when he was born-- Mrs. Gurich went on maternity leave when I was in 7th grade. I know I have lost touch, except for seeing Dick at a CARE meeting in Montville. My deepest sympathy.
December 15, 2012
Spencer Bloom
My sincere condolences to Joyce, Jill, and Trey and the rest of the Gurich Family for the the sudden loss of Rich. I remember first meeting him in the '70s when he and Joyce came over for a bbq. He explained my carpal tunnel symptoms to me. I remember the wedding in Orville, OH and meeting his family. And I remember stopping by on a driving trip that took us near Tuscaloosa in recent years... all fond memories of a very good person, taken from us way too soon.
Spencer Bloom, DDS
Chicago/Skokie
December 15, 2012
Katherine
Rest in Peace, Richard. On Earth, we have lost a wonderful doctor, husband, father, neighbor and friend. Heaven has surely gained an angel. We remember so many things, and we pray for Joyce, Jill, Trey and Diana. You are missed.
December 15, 2012
John Walentik
To the entire Gurich family my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rich was a wonderful person and will be missed.
December 15, 2012
John Utter
Joyce, please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family.
December 14, 2012
Mike Bragg
Joyce, you who have reached out to my family with encouragement, may there be some measure of solace in the encouragement of others.
December 14, 2012
Loretta Felts
I cannot begin to express my sympathy to your family. If it weren't for Dr. G, I would not be alive today. I give thanks to him for saving my life .my heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.
December 14, 2012
Roger Duvall
Our thoughts are with the extended family of Rich, he was a great friend and wonderful person. Great memories from when the family lived across the street to High School and the Jazz Band trip to Switzerland. Thanks Rich for all you did !
December 14, 2012
Joyce and Family
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Rich. What a great loss.
Carol & (the late (Butch) John
Phillipchuk & Family
Lynden, Ontario, Canada
December 14, 2012
Lisa Lewis
To the Gurich family. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Please take comfort in knowing that Dr. G. is in the arms of God.
December 14, 2012
Joyce, Jill, Trey and Dianna:
It is so hard to find the words to express how sorry we are for the sudden loss of Rich. We were definitely blessed to have met such a nice man. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Trey and Dianna we miss and love you both.
Mike and Margot Penrod
Columbia,Tn
December 14, 2012
Bob Marinos
We were blessed to have you in our lives, and we look fondly upon the years you coached our daughter's soccer team here in Tuscaloosa.
December 14, 2012
Virginia L
I am sorry for your loss of a loved one and friend. May God be with you during this difficult time.
December 14, 2012
While I did not know Dr. Gurich personally, I know several dialysis patients, including my own mother, who only had great things to say about him. May God give you strength during this difficult time. L. Beasley, Tuscaloosa, AL
December 14, 2012
Lynn Sexton
Rest well Dr. Gurich. You have touched the lives of so many in west Alabama. Your work will live on. I will miss that infectious smile.
December 14, 2012
Susan
So much sadness upon hearing of Dr Gurich's passing on Monday. Thoughts and prayers going to his wife and family during this difficult time. Also to his patients and co-workers, may peace and comfort be found during this time of grief. Matthew 5:4
December 13, 2012
Nancy Knutsen
Hoping during this very difficult time that all the wonderful memories you have shared will give you some comfort. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
December 13, 2012
Junad Rizki
Joyce and Family I am sorry for your loss. Having met Rich over thirty years ago in Chicago he was such a nice person.
December 13, 2012
R Ogan
Live every day in service to your fellow man, as Rich obviously did. That is the legacy that will sustain those who will always love him and for whom memory will not fade.
December 13, 2012
Barbara Gant
I've known Dr. G since he came to work in Tuscaloosa 18 yrs ago. He was a wonderful and caring person. He will be missed greatly. He took great care of his patients. He was always nice and cared for his nurses. I'm proud to have worked with him in dialysis and at DCH all these yrs. He had a wonderful family that he loved. I have been praying for them. So sad that God called him home, now. We don't know why but we will miss him greatly......Barbara Gant RN /DCH
December 13, 2012
Trey and Dianna, The Killion family is very saddened to hear of the loss of your father. Always remember how proud you have made him. What a blessing for him to have seen you graduate from medical school and marry a wonderful young woman. Condolences to your mother and sister also.
Fondly, Kathy and Fred Killion
Mobile, AL
December 13, 2012
Darrell Schrock
Rich's passing was a complete shock! My sympathy to his family.
December 13, 2012
Joyce, Trey, Dianna, and Jill,
Words could never express how sorry we are for your sudden loss. At this difficult time know that God will carry you through the pain. Know too that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Rose Bradshaw
December 13, 2012
Robbie S. Minor RN
I had the privilege of meeting and working with Dr Gurich 18 years ago when he and his family first arrived in Tuscaloosa. It was a great honor to have known him and watched his great skills throughout the years. He will be missed in the DCH family. My prayers go out to his family, Dr Berry, Dr Ramdeen and his co-workers. We have all lost a great friend, doctor and family man who will be greatly missed.
December 13, 2012
Eve Gray
DCH has lost a very fine and wonderful physician. He will be missed. My prayers are with his family.
December 13, 2012
Michael Avery
With heartfelt condolences from the Michael Avery family. We will miss you but not forget you.
December 13, 2012
Deletha Abrams
Joyce, prayers for you, Trey, Jill and family. We will miss "Dr. G."
December 13, 2012
Thad Forester
Rich is one of the very most giving, pleasant, and unassuming people I know. He 'went about doing good'. You will never be forgotten my friend.
December 13, 2012
Philip Kline
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 13, 2012
Joyce, Trey and Jill. Words cannot capture our thoughts and feelings at this time. Suffice to say you are in our prayers; be strong and proud to have known such a wonderful man.
Anne Devrell, Kathleen O' Malley, John and Karen UK
December 13, 2012
Phil Danner
Dr. Gurich was a great physician. This is a huge loss for Tuscaloosa.
December 13, 2012
Greg Tyler
I will remember the time that Rich took out of his schedule to work for the youth soccer program in Tuscaloosa. My condolences go out to the family.
December 13, 2012
Bridgette Bargo
I feel so blessed to have met you and Joyce.
Your hard work will carry forward. Your memories never lost.
Rest in Peace Rich
December 13, 2012
Mary-Keeley McAllister
My heart breaks for Jill, Trey and Joyce. I know so many people are lifting your family up in prayer. God will give you strength, much love to such a wonderful family.
December 13, 2012
Anil Jain
We have lost a good human being who always thought of helping others. We were unknown to him and asked for
help and he went all the way to help us. It is a big loss to all of us. We feel sorry and are with the family in this difficult time.
December 13, 2012
Leigh Ann Fair
Joyce, you were always so kind to all of us at Wood Lane. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and pray for comfort and peace at this sad time.
December 13, 2012
Joyce & Family
I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Anne K
December 13, 2012
We lost a Great Doctor, Our prayers are with the family, for your great loss we are sorry. Ed and Lenora Turner (Fayette, Al.)
December 13, 2012
To Richard's Family and Friends, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. May God, and the many good memories, sustain you; now and also in the future. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families. Sincere condolences from Arthur & Eileen Beery (Smithville, Ohio)and families. Michael; Dwaine & Shelly; Bonita & Tony(Kendra, Rachael & Tonya)Bowman; Dawna & Eric Kohr
December 13, 2012
Our prayers are with the whole Gurich family. We are good friends of Lois & Dick and Nancy through our Masonic Lodge. Ken & JoAnn Woode (Ashland Ohio)
December 13, 2012
To the entire Gurich I send my heartfelt condolences. We shared our high school days from Orrville, Ohio to Montreux, Switzerland and back again. His mother, father and sisters were all part of my life too. His contagious smile and love of life never faltered. After 40 years the memories continue to live in my heart... Steven Henry Goldring, Akron, OH
December 13, 2012
Phyllis
I was so very sadden to hear of the passing of Dr. Gurich. I had the priviledge of working with him in a dialysis setting in Demopolis, AL. He was a wonderful doctor who was precise and quick to the point. He was quiet yet when he spoke of his children, he would beam with joy. Rejoice in his memories and know that he loved his family very much. My prayers are with you all. May the grace of God rest upon each of you during your hours of bereavement.
December 13, 2012
Debra
May our loving Creator grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
2 Cor.1:1-3.
December 13, 2012
Bill Graber
My deepest condolences to my '2nd family' - Mom and Dad G., Nancy, Sue, and Dale, and of course Rich's family. I'm heartbroken to learn of this news. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. With love, Bill Graber
December 13, 2012
Linda Garrett
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children, all of his family. Especially his pts and friends from DCH and Dr Berry and Dr Ramdeen. He will be missed by many. Linda R. Garrett RN
December 13, 2012
Scott Gross
Richard, I wished I knew you.
Very Sorry, I know Richard and Lois; Nancy and Doug; Nick.
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