"I was a long term patient of Dr Emerson and I always considered him both a friend and a trusted medical advisor. I am deeply saddened by his loss and wish his family sincere condolences at his loss. He was a truly remarkable individual and will be missed. "
In loving memory of
Dr. Richard James Emerson
Dr. Richard James Emerson, 78, of Phoenix, passed away on March 17, 2021. He was a devoted father, a loving husband, a renowned physician, and a military veteran.
Dr. Emerson was born in 1942 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. His parents eventually settled in Pueblo, Colo., where he attended South High School and starred on the basketball team.
Following high school, Dr. Emerson attended the University of California, Riverside, and then medical school at the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Mo., where he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. In 1971-1972, he served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force and flew in the back seat of the F-4 as a weapons system operator in Vietnam, earning several air medals during his tour.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, Dr. Emerson settled in Arizona. It was in Phoenix where he met his late wife of 41 years, Mary Louise Emerson, and embarked upon his distinguished career in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Over many decades, Dr. Emerson took care of world-class athletes across every sport, from high school to the professional ranks. In the mid-1980s, he joined the Phoenix Suns as team orthopedist, eventually becoming head team physician, a position he held until 2000. Over the years, he also served as team physician for the Phoenix Mercury, the Arizona Rattlers, and for various high schools and junior colleges.
Instrumental in advancing sports medicine in Arizona, Dr. Emerson was a co-founder of the Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, then a state-of-the-art medical facility in central Phoenix, and also served as a fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He loved his patients and his colleagues, and up until early January of 2021 was still practicing medicine with TOCA at Banner Health.
Dr. Emerson enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting, and in the Fall was always rooting for the Denver Broncos and Notre Dame football. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, celebrating their milestones and encouraging their interests.
Dr. Emerson is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and his sister and brother. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and his daughters, Dawn and Wendy.
Services will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021, but due to COVID-19, will be limited to invited guests. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to U.S. Patriot Sailing. https://uspatriotsailing.org/
Tributes
"I Just found out my very dear friend has passed! I am complete side myself! My name is Robert Anthony Marchese, Son of Dr Anthony G. Marchese! Dr Emerson and his Wife have been dear friends of our family since the really 70's! When I was young they would come and stay with us at our home, where my Father Practiced; and Dr Emerson came and helped our small community working for periods of time at Parker Community Hospital! I blew out my knee around 1996 training in my pursuits as a Professional Martial Artist! Dick rebuilt my knee, giving a prognostic life of give or take 15 years before I would require a full knee replacement! I then blew my left meniscus and with maybe 15% remaining in the left and 18% in the right! I can tell you now 25 years later I am a Professional instructor with 4 Black Belts in four different arts! I have been allowed to continue living because of my dear friends care and expertise! I am Retired from the Army, (we often swapped stories of our service) and was one of the people that got the honor of being g guinea pigs for the Gen1 Anthrax Vaccine! After that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis! With such a diagnosis prospects of life can become quite bleak! But I'm A stubborn Sicilian like my Dad! And I can Tell Doc Emerson gave me the capability physiologically to continue living! With tears in my eyes.....farewell my Friend, and God Speed! I pray the fa.Ily is ok! God Bless all of you!"
"My wife and I were interns under Dr Emerson. He was our daughters surgeon when she was injured. He influenced me greatly in my own career. God Bless you Dick! We were lucky to have known you. Always, The Prendergasts"
"I worked with Dr. Emerson in the 1990s as an anesthesiologist for his cases and he was a pleasure to work with. Always kind to his patients and went the extra mile to see that they were cared for. I will never forget how supportive he was of me early in my career and will always appreciate it. When his daytime work was finished, he would go to his \"2nd Job\", as he called his duties with the Phoenix Suns. His hours and his energy seemed to be endless, but he enjoyed it all. He was one of a kind and will be missed."
"I love and remember Dr. Ermerson, Mary and their beautiful family since I became a nurse. He was a great veteran and a fabulous physician God shone his life with his hands. they will never make his mold again"
"Doc was my best buddy and shared many stories together over the years he treated me for my shoulders and knee. We became good friends and was the kindest physician that I\'ve ever met. He and Mary were a match made in heaven. He is now with Mary again. DOC, RIP my dear dear friend... You will be missed but never forgotten. My heartfelt sympathies to the family, you are in my prayers. "
"Dick Emerson was one of the kindest people we have known. So sad to learn of his passing!, always helped us with our aches and pains and was a caring doctor and friend. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers to the family that he loved so much. Rest In Peace Doc. Blessings Barb and Dick VanArsdale "
" I first met Dick in 7th grade. He was well-liked by classmates and friendly to everyone. He and I were \"going steady\" in 8th grade but then one of us decided we didn\'t want to continue. We both happened to be in the hall during classes, probably for a bathroom break, and it was then that we decided to go our separate ways. We had planned to go to the Honor Dance together, so we decided to carry through with that commitment and had a wonderful time. I enjoyed seeing him at our reunions, in particular the 50th. It was then that he told me that the reason he became a doctor was because he admired my dad who was a GP. I was very touched by that I thanked him for telling me. My husband, Gary, went to South High with Dick when our class split our senior year. He also knew Dick and liked him very much. We send our condolences to his children. Ann and Gary Kochenberger Denver, CO"
"I first met Dr. Emerson in the1980,s when he joined the Phoenix Suns and I was working as a physical therapist/ athletic trainer for the Steingard Medical group. We worked together again at TOCA for approximately 5 years ending in 2019. I will always remember him as an approachable, kind and supportive individual who was devoted to his patients and co workers. He was never too busy to answer a question and always asked how I and my family was doing. He was one of the truly great men that I have met in my career and I am forever grateful for the caring example he set for me as a health care provider. Rest in peace, Doc. You will be missed."
"I\'ve known Dr. Emerson since 1993 we worked @ the center for sports medicine & orthopedics on 19th Ave & Indian school then later @ phoenix suns athletic club then to bell road coyotes ice den, he definitely thought me alot, lots of memories, I remember Mary walking into the office with the boys in the stroller then years later running them at them @ the university of Notre Dame where matt was attending law school, as we visit our daughter who was also attending ND, RJE we\'ll always have our memories and i will always remember you disappearing in the middle of clinic when we\'re 2 hours behind, outside smoking of course or the story of you 1st girlfriend, while in the service, the countless suns tickets, meeting the late Dan Devine and so many more. Thank for the memories, rest in paradise, we\'ll miss you. Love, sandra"
" CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY . MAY HE REST IN PEACE. FRANK AND SANDRA VASQUEZ PATIENT AND FRIEND"
"I am so saddened to hear of Dick Doc\'s demise. He was a man that I thought would always be around to help others and to entertain us. In addition to his other sterling qualities and accomplishments, he had a very outrageous sense of humor and never took himself too seriously. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dick through the many years, med school, residency and his long and successful career. I will miss knowing he\'s out there in the world somewhere. Condolences to his family. He will be missed by many. Thanks for the memories Dick. "