Richard J. Dames, M.D. was baptized into the hope of Christ’s resurrection on Sunday, July 19, 2015.

He was the beloved husband of Ann Dames (nee Bardenheier); loving father of Rick (Carolyn) Dames and grandfather of Margaux and Lindsay Dames. Richard was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Ellen (nee Lawrence) and brother Urban Dames.

Richard was born on September 20, 1924 to Urban and Alice Sheehan Dames. He grew up in St. Louis and attended SLUH, St. Louis University and St. Louis University School of Medicine (’51). He was a member of U.S. Navy serving in Panama during WWII. Following completion of his medical residency at the former City Hospital in 1955, he joined the Public Health Service where he worked in Paris, France for several years. Following his return to St. Louis, he established a private practice in Internal Medicine and joined the staff at St. Mary’s Heath Center to which he was dedicated for forty years. He was also a respected member of the faculty/administration at St. Louis University School of Medicine where he served in several roles over 35 years including admissions and alumni affairs. In death he donated his body to the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Richard was an energetic individual who enjoyed travelling, good food and wine and driving his convertible. He also wrote a column on travel medicine for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and volunteered his talents at several charities following his retirement. He will also be missed by step-son Tom Caestecker (Donnelly Devereaux) and their children Ella, Charles and Mary Katherine, brothers and sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. A special thanks to the caregivers at Mari de Villa for their care and compassion.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:30 am at St. Anselm Catholic Church. Visitation immediately prior to the service beginning at 10:30 am. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Ave, 63110 or Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, 36 Four Seasons, Box 272, 63017.