RICHARD Francis (Dick) Power, M.Ch., FRCS, was born in Co Carlow on April 16th, 1927, the eldest of eight children. When he was three years old his family moved to Kiltealy, Co Wexford.
Richard Francis (Dick) Power, M.Ch., FRCS, was born in Co Carlow on April 16th, 1927, the eldest of eight children. When he was three years old his family moved to Kiltealy, Co Wexford.
He was educated by his parents at Kiltealy National School, by Augustinian Fathers at Good Counsel College, New Ross and then at University College Cork, where he studied medicine.
After internships in Cork and Derby he did surgical residencies with Prof O'Gorman in Sheffield, with Prof Norman Tanner in Balham, London and worked under Prof Valdoni in Rome. He studied for the FRCS while working as a ship's surgeon - this gave him a thirst for world travel, which he retained throughout his life.
He did his FRCS in 1957 and his M.Ch., NUI in 1958. The Ainsworth Travelling Scholarship (1958) took him to the Cleveland Clinic, the Lahey Clinic and the Albany Medical Centre in the United States.
He spent two years as county surgeon in Kilkenny, then returned to the United States and worked for three years in urology with Dr Politano in Miami. He then settled in Sarasota, Florida, where he established a very successful practice in urology. A born surgeon and wonderful anatomist, he loved his work and his patients loved him.
He was not only a great surgeon but a true renaissance man with a fine intellect and a broad range of interests, from world travel to collecting fine art, rare books, ancient maps, beautiful pottery and glassware, violins, Eastern antiques and beautiful furniture.
His energy and enthusiasm were awesome. His curiosity took him to exotic places by equally exotic modes of travel - seven days in a dugout canoe up the Orinoco,or by jeep and horseback to view a ranch on the Costa Rica/Nicaraguan border in the midst of the Nicaraguan war. He covered Persia and India, Greece and Turkey, China and Tibet, and most of Europe, America and Africa. He journeyed extensively in Russia, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
But Dick never forgot his family, his faith or his country. He constantly encouraged and helped all his brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces and their friends. His generosity was boundless; he was an engaging companion and wonderful host. He returned constantly to Ireland, for he delighted in the company of friends and family. He was immensely patriotic and took great pride in Ireland's progress and achievements.
Thirteen years ago he met and married Ada and they had a truly happy union. They built a beautiful home together where Dick became an avid gardener.
Five years ago he developed metastatic cancer and retired from the hospitals but continued to work in the clinics for the poor of Sarasota. He took up sculpture and turned out masterful pieces in marble and clay. He moved to Carrara in Tuscany for some months to stay in Michelangelo's village and learnt to work marble from the masters.
Dick died at his home in Sarasota on July 30th. He had never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty nor failed to express it. He always looked for the best in others and gave them the best he had. His life was an inspiration and his memory a benediction.
T.O'M.