Obituary of Richard Ferrandou Bedell

RICHARD (DICK) BEDELL expired on June 1st, 2023 in Louisville, CO from Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in New York City and grew up in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York. Dick was graduated from Bronxville High School, Duke University and Duke Medical School. He completed Pediatric Residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston), Cornell Medical Center (New York City) and Denver Childrens Hospital. Dick served as Chief of Pediatrics at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Dick Bedell and Jean Munro were married 66 years ago on March 30, 1957 in Mount Vernon, New York. His Pediatric Practice in Boulder spanned 28 years after which he worked Locum Tenens (‘Rent-a-Doc’). Dick was licensed in 8 states for an additional 10 years. Each year for 35 years he worked as a medical volunteer in Miraj, India. He helped found the Home of Hope, an orphanage for girls whose prostitute mothers died from AIDS. Dick also was invited throughout India to present the Newborn Resuscitation Program (NRP) to physicians, nurses and midwives. For 20 years Dick worked as a pediatrician with the Boulder Community Hospital mission project to Ciudad Mante, Mexico. He was an Assessor for Project C.U.R.E. in developing countries in Africa, India, and Central America. His commitment to Rotary International was extensive. Dick initiated and completed 6 International Matching Grants in India including an Alzheimer’s Respite Facility and a training program for making Prosthetic Limbs. In part for this, he received the Rotary International Service Above Self Award. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter. Dick is survived by his spouse, Jean, 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren and a brother. Dick donated his body to the Colorado State Anatomical Board, serving others even after his death. A gathering is planned for the end of August 2023. Memorials may be made to Home of Hope Orphanage in India or Boulder Rotary Club Foundation. If you want to feel closer to Dick, listen to a recording of Massenet’s “Meditations from Thais.”