Farmington Obituary: Dr. Richard Stockwell, 85

Dr. Richard Matheson Stockwell died at the age of 85 on January 28, 2016, at the University of Connecticut John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, where he was a physician and teacher for many years.

He devoted his life to the service of others: his family, his church, the Town of Farmington, and to generations of patients who entrusted their health to him.

Son of Ervin Sidney and Helen Matheson Stockwell, Dick was born in Sharon, Massachusetts, on May 21, 1930. Educated in Sharon public schools, he was a graduate of Brown University (1952); earned his Doctorate in Medicine from Tufts University (1956); interned at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia (1956-57); served his country as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy (1957-59), and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York (1959-1962).

He met his future wife, Beatrice Clayton on a blind date in Boston in 1954, beginning 60 years of marriage on June 11, 1955. Dick and Bea settled in Farmington, a town equidistant from their childhood homes in Sharon and Rye, New York. Together, Dick and Bea raised 4 sons.

Dr. Stockwell practiced medicine in Farmington for 35 years, first at his 2 High Street office (1962-1975), and then at the brand new UConn Health Center. He was hired as an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine on June 15, 1975, was promoted to Associate Professor on October 1, 1981, and retired on May 31, 1997. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He was Director of Continuing Medical education from 1976-1997, and founded “Recent Advances in Internal Medicine,” later renamed the “Richard M. Stockwell CME Lecture Series: Recent Advances in Internal Medicine.” The series continues today as called “Current Clinical Medicine: Update and Review.” He was also co-director of a continuing education course entitled “What’s New in Internal Medicine” (1986-1996). In retirement, Dr. Stockwell taught “Physical Diagnosis” to first year medical students and also tutored. He received a University of Connecticut School of Medicine CME Teaching Award in recognition of commitment to curriculum enhancement and excellence in teaching PCM I. He thoroughly enjoyed the excitement, challenge and rigor of a teaching hospital environment; thrived on its diversity of patients and patient conditions, and was honored to work alongside excellent health care professionals. Dr. Stockwell was also Medical Director at Avon Old Farms School (1965-1996) and Miss Porter’s School (1970-1995).

Dr. Stockwell served the Town of Farmington in several capacities over 36 years, including Health Director (1965-1975), member of the Health Advisory Board (1975-1981), and the Farmington Water Pollution Control Authority (1981-2001), including 6 years as vice chair (1996-2001).

Dick had been a member of First Church of Christ Congregational, 1652 in Farmington for 54 years, serving on various committees including the Renovation and Search committees, and in numerous capacities including Stewardship Chairman, Deacon and Moderator. He founded its popular “Village Lecture Series” in 2001, which continues today.

He was also a member of the Exchange Club of Farmington, and The Squires of West Hartford, serving as its president in 2007-08.

Dick was a good and kind man. He leaves his wife, Beatrice; son Richard Stockwell and wife Donna of West Hartford, their children, John and Abigail, and John’s wife Allyson; David Stockwell PhD, his wife Sharon and children Andrew and Caroline of Westfield, New Jersey; Christopher Stockwell, his wife Joan and children Jason, Thomas and Julia of Marblehead, Massachusetts; Philip Stockwell MD, his wife Susan and children Eve, Charles and Henry, of Barrington, Rhode Island and his sister-in-law Marilyn and her husband Carl Stephani, formerly of Unionville and now residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and their sons Mathew and Gabriel, along with their wives and children. He was predeceased by his brother, Ervin Sidney Stockwell, III.

The Stockwell family wishes to thank Polish Helping Hands and its staff including Bob, John, Mathew and Philip for their dedication.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street in Unionville. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 13, at First Church of Christ Congregational, located at 75 Main Street, Farmington beginning at 11:00 AM.