Richard E. Ginter, MD

Dick Ginter was born in Bryan, Ohio, May 3rd 1923. As a young child he contracted polio-myelitis and lost much of the use of his right leg. He refused to let it stop his quest for success. He spoke of his life in Ohio as a boy, learning to ride a bike and working at manual labor. He learned to fish and hunt, and was later in life an accomplished fly fisherman; he shot skeet skillfully, and was a very good marksman. He also made his own guns and antique replica rifles that were works of art.

He went to Miami University in Ohio for pre-med and played trumpet in a dance band to help pay his way through school. He went to medical school at Western Reserve Medical School in Ohio and interned in Seattle at Marine Hospital.

He moved to Antioch, California, with his family, wife Ruth and his children — Greg, Lindsay, Tim, Sue and Garth. He joined a very busy family practice with lots of obstetrics, surgery and very little time for his family.

After 8 years he moved to Indiana University to take a residency in radiology. He then joined the Sacramento radiological group at Mercy General Hospital, where he became chief of the department. He left the Sacramento radiological group after an acute myocardial infarction. After his recovery, he started a solo radiologic practice on Professional Drive in the Arden area until he retired in November 1983.

He was always a very creative person and loved working with his hands and woodworking. He had a wonderful workshop in his last home where he built furniture and cabinets for his friends and family. He loved making gifts for his friends. Every Christmas, he joined other area woodworkers, to make toys for the Toys for Tots program. He was respected by many other Sacramento woodworkers, with whom he shared his knowledge and skills.

He was a devoted husband to Ruth, and they shared many good times together with their Airstream trailer group visiting many places in North America.

He had many friends in the medical community, particularly Pierce Rooney, Van Kreis and myself.

— William Hedges, MD