Richard Scott Milligan

MODESTO, Calif. – Richard Scott Milligan, age 81, of passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2016, in Modesto, California, where he resided for over 50 years, Dick, as he was generally known, was the son of Scott W. and Elizabeth T. Milligan. He was born at Reid Memorial Hospital on October 12, 1934, 30 minutes after his identical twin, Tom. Dick attended Baxter Elementary School, Dennis Junior High School, and Richmond Senior High School, where he graduated in 1952. Dick and Tom were bat boys for the Richmond Roses professional baseball team in 1946 and 1947 and for the Richmond Braves in 1948. Dick was active in Cub Scouts, 4-H Club, and Junior and Senior Hi-Y. He was a member of the Richmond High School Activities Board, a student manager of the 1949, 1950, and 1951 Red Devil football teams, a life guard at Forest Hills Country Club, and a Saturday and holiday employee of Lemon's Flower Shop and Loehr and Klute clothing store. Dick received a full tuition scholarship to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he majored in biology and was President of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from Kenyon in 1956 and received a half grant/half loan tuition scholarship to the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City, where he received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1960. He continued his medical education with residencies at Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco and Santa Clara County Hospital in San Jose, California, before moving to Modesto, California, where he performed surgery with the McHenry Medical Group. Dick was a surgeon by trade, but by many other descriptions by friends, family, and acquaintances: Doctor to his patients, Dad and Dude to his kids, Papa to his grandchildren, best man to his son, Kiwanian to the service community, tenor to the church choir, captain on the houseboat at Lake Powell, and sailor to Pinecrest boaters. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patricia Cathie Milligan; children, Robert C. (Irice) Milligan, M.D. of Spokane, Washington, Ellen Milligan of Carson City, Nevada, Elizabeth Milligan (Steve) Blickenstaff of Modesto, California, and Catharine Milligan (Brent) Hobbs of Visalia, California; grandchildren, Alison, Chase, and Haley, all of Spokane, Washington, Reilly, Carson, Hunter, Megan, Bailey, and Emma, all of Modesto, California, and Blake and Hayden of Visalia, California; and brother, Tom (Claire Ann) Milligan of Richmond. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob Milligan; and sister, Louise Milligan Storm. A memorial service for Richard Scott Milligan will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2016, at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Modesto, California. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Richard Scott Milligan

October 12, 1934 - February 18, 2016