Dr. John Douglas Rich, age 80, passed away peacefully at his family home in Littleton, CO, on Sunday, November 12, 2017.  He was with his beloved family when he died.

He was born on December 23, 1936, in Springfield, MO, to Alma Vivian (Fielden) Rich and John Ela Rich.  He grew up in Springfield, and after graduating from Greenwood Laboratory School in 1954, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Southwest Missouri State College in 1958.  He was enrolled in Army ROTC all four years.  He graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1962.

Dr. Rich married Linda Jo Pleasant on June 16, 1962, at the Church of Christ in Gainesville, Missouri.  He entered active duty in the US Army as a first lieutenant on July 4, 1962. He was assigned to the US Army Hospital in Ft. Benning, Georgia for one year.  He was selected for 4 years of training in general surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and there promoted to captain for his residency in July of 1963.  After completing a general surgery residency in 1967, he was assigned to The 5th Field Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. During this assignment, 1968-1970, he promoted to major.  He was re-assigned to Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1970, where his only child, Elizabeth, was born.  He was promoted to lieutenant colonel during this assignment and served as Chief of General Surgery, then Chief of Surgery and later Chief of Professional Services.  His family of three remained in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO until 1974, when he was selected for two years of plastic surgery training at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center (FAMC) in Aurora, CO.  After completing this training, he remained at FAMC to serve as Assistant Chief and, later, Chief of Plastic Surgery.

After promoting to colonel, he served as Consultant in Plastic Surgery to The Surgeon General, 1983-1989. This duty included his serving as Chief of Plastic Surgery for the entire US Army. He remained at FAMC until retirement from active duty on September 30, 1989, after 27 years, 2 months, and 27 days of service to our nation.  While in the military, he earned the following awards: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic Viet Nam Gallantry Cross (Unit Citation), Republic Viet Nam Civil Actions Medal (Unit Citation), and Republic Viet Nam Campaign Medal.

After retirement from the Army, he spent the remainder of his career in private practice with his wife working by his side as his assistant. This was a dream they both had shared, then realized and enjoyed thoroughly.

Although Dr. Rich was a highly accomplished surgeon and high ranking Army officer, his family was his "biggest deal in life."  He was a faithful husband and an incredibly involved and loving father. After operating all day, he would come home and play with Elizabeth in the back yard. He was compassionate and always looked out for the best interests of his family.  He was very involved with his church, serving first as a deacon, then as an elder for many years.  He loved to spend time with his family, paint pictures, play the mandolin in a band with his friends, and eat Elizabeth's home-baked cakes and pies. He would hold "PawPaw School" and tell his grandchildren stories he made up just for them. To the moment he left this earth, he consistently and generously put the needs and desires of others before his own. He was content in all things.

He is preceded in death by both parents, his sister, Rosalyn (Rich) Dacey, his brother-in-law, Maj Gen (ret.) Robert Dacey, and his beloved wife of 41 years, Linda Jo (Pleasant) Rich.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Elizabeth Bolz, his son-in-law, Gary Bolz, and his three precious grandchildren—Jackson (age 15), Benjamin (age 13), and Emma Jo (age 12), all who share his love and home in Littleton, CO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dr. Rich's name to his favorite charity, Colorado Christian Services, 3959 E Arapahoe Rd, Suite 200, Centennial, CO 80122.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 24, 2017 in the Howards Ridge Cemetery.

Local arrangements are under the care and direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.