Richard Cassady

Waynesville, NC, Dr. Richard L. Cassady, 76, who served on the medical staff of Winter Haven Hospital from 1966-1998 and employed by Gessler Clinic from 1968�1998, died early Tuesday morning at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. He was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 23, 1934 to Edwin and Bernice Cassady. He attended Indiana University School of Medicine where he received his Doctor of Medicine. From there he went on to do his Internship and Residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida from 1960�1966. It was at Jackson Memorial where he became a senior resident and specialized in General Surgery as well as Thoracic & Cardiovascular surgery. In 1966, he moved to Winter Haven, Florida and began practicing at Winter Haven Hospital. Shortly after moving to Winter Haven he entered into the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a Captain where he was stationed in Vietnam. He served his country loyally and faithfully from 1966-1968 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding meritorious service. After his tour in the military, he returned to Winter Haven, Florida joining the Gessler Clinic in 1968 and began a long and prestigious medical career that spanned over 30 years of loving, caring and compassionate help to anyone in need. During his 30-year career he served as Chief of Surgery and President of the Medical Staff at Winter Haven Hospital. He also served as President of Gessler Clinic. His zest for life included his love for the outdoors, everything from tennis, golf, fishing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and most of all spending time with his family and friends. After retiring from the medicine, his time was spent with family between Waynesville, North Carolina at their lovely mountain home retreat, where they became avid gardeners, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Florida. Richard will always be remembered for his beautiful blue eyes and soft crinkly smile when you made him laugh as well as his quiet soft-spoken ways. He truly loved life itself and was and always will be the strength and rock of his family. He made a difference both in the medical profession as a surgeon as well as with family through his constant compassionate zest for life and encouragement whenever you needed it. He was loved and beloved and will always hold a special place in everyone's heart whose lives he touched. On this day, we have truly lost a great man, father and husband who not only lived the impossible dream, but was the impossible dream. His surviving family includes his wife of 47 years, Marsha Simmons Cassady; daughter, Karen Holland; son, Richard Cassady II and daughter in law, Kristen Cassady; future son in law, Ray Gelinas, Jr.; and grandchildren, Alyssa and Kaylin Holland, Zachary and Kaleb Cassady, all of Charlotte NC. He was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Cassady and a brother, Dr. James Cassady. A memorial service celebrating and honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at their home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of Dr. Richard L. Cassady to Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, 200 Avenue F NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881.

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