Dr. Richard Furney

Dr. Richard Hayes Furney passed away on November 18, 2005 from the advance stages of Alzheimer's disease while in the care of Rio Pinar Health Care. Born on August 2. 1929 at Detroit's Women's Hospital, the first son of Melvus H. and May Lyon Furney. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Furney attended Highland Park High School, obtained his bachelor's degree from College in Albion Michigan, pursued a course in chemical engineering at Michigan State University while awaiting entry into Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy. He returned to Detroit upon graduation from medical school to serve his internship and his residency in internal medicine at the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. He commented at that time after ten years of schooling he was now working in a hospital only a block from his High School He sought a warm area in which to practice as he detested cold weather. He found his warm place and established his practice in Orlando, Florida.
He served as the internal medicine specialist at Orlando General. Participated in the hospital's expansion in stages as it grew and today is Florida Hospital East where he served as an internist, Chief of Staff of the hospital and as an emergency room physician until his retirement in 1993. He loved and was devoted to the practice of medicine and found internal medicine to be the ultimate challenge for developing and applying his diagnostic skills. He was an avid collector of stamps, an accomplished aviator and had a great interest in photography. He collected modern and antique weapons. His interests also included an in depth knowledge of civil war history and model trains. His professional associates held him in the highest regard. He is survived by his brother, retired army Colonel Robert M. Furney and wife Mary of Pacific Grove, California, his nephew, retired army Major Richard R. Furney of Vicksburg, Michigan and wife, Kimberly and children Bridgid, Heidi and Kathleen, A niece Leslie Ann Furney-Howe and husband Steve and children Laura and Sara of Menlo Park California; and niece Ellen Gaule and husband John, and children Mary and Joseph in Altadena, California. Dr. Furney received constant loving and devotional oversight on a daily basis during his illness by Joyce and Joseph Cappadona.
Visitation will be held at Newcomer Family Funeral Home, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd. Orlando on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM. He will be transfered to Vasu Funeral Home, Birmingham, Michigan for viewing. Internment will be in the family plot in Acacia Park Cemetery in Beverly Hills, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Albion College, 611 E. Porter Street, Albion, MI 49224-9903. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.newcomerfamily.com.