Dr. Richard Bernard Jackson, 55, of San Antonio, TX died on Saturday, March 5, 2016 in San Antonio from brain cancer. Richard was born on January 30,1961 to Robert and Ruth Jackson in Delta, Utah. He grew up in Sutherland, Utah surrounded by a loving extended family. He was the oldest of five children. He attended Delta schools and excelled in all areas. He was the class valedictorian and the lead in many plays and musicals during his high school years. Richard served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Munich, Germany mission from 1980-1982. When he returned home he married his high school sweetheart, Becky Jeffery, on April 24, 1982 .They had been friends since meeting for the first time in kindergarten.
Richard graduated from Brigham Young University in April of 1985 and George Washington University Medical School in May 1989. He joined the military health scholarship program and served his intern year at Madigan Military Medical Center in Tacoma Washington. He then completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Fitzsimons Military Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 1993.
His greatest wish of returning to Germany came true when his first military assignment was to Frankfurt Germany. Dr Jackson served in Frankfurt for 1 year and in 1994, the Frankfurt military hospital closed and he was transferred to Landstuhl, Germany. He started at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center as a staff OB/GYN and eventually in 1998 assumed the role as Chief of the OB/GYN Department, a role in which he served with great compassion and skill until 2013. He also served as the Obstetric consultant to the European Military Medical command. He was deployed to Bagdad, Iraq from Aug 2010 to March 2011. Richard served in the US Army for 26 years, retiring in 2015 at the rank of Colonel.
Dr Jackson loved delivering babies, he always encouraged his patients and friends to have more babies. He delivered over 4000 babies during his career. The last being his youngest grandson, in November 2015. Dr Jackson was beloved by his patients, co-workers and colleagues. He led by example and was a friend to all. His bright smile and desire to serve in any way possible made him a legend at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Richard and Becky have 5 children, Richard loved being a father and traveling in Europe with his family. Many happy times were spent with his family at the beach in St Tropez or exploring tiny villages and the great cities of Europe. He shared his love of travel with others and often had friends accompanying the family to the beach. He is so proud of each of his children and their exemplary lives, and the love they give to their family.
Rich’s passion was running. He set a goal at the age of 40 to run 50 marathons by the age of 50. He reached that goal and surpassed it, running his 52nd marathon just before his 50th birthday while he was deployed to Bagdad in 2011. He shared his love of running and encouraged and mentored many co-workers and friends. He also loved running with his children and set a goal for each to complete a marathon before they could get married. He solved many problems and received inspiration while running on the green trails between work and home. Rich was looking forward to running with his grandchildren too. At the time of his death he had completed 66 marathons, on his way to his new goal of 100 marathons by the age of 60.
Richard was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He played the organ for church meetings from the time he was 12 years old. He served in many other positions in the church, but always retained the organist calling. Loud and fast was the way he played every song and his ward family loved it.
In 2013 Rich was diagnosed with brain cancer, which necessitated a move to San Antonio, TX for treatment. He accepted God’s hand in all things and spent the last 2 years of his life testifying of God’s love and seeing miracles and blessings each day. He served as a temple worker in the San Antonio Temple and found great joy in serving there.
Richard is survived by his wife: Becky Jackson, San Antonio, TX; children: Elizabeth (Scott) Johnson, West Jordan, Utah; Katie (Casey) Kennington, Elverdisen, Germany; Stephanie (Curt) Wengel, San Antonio, TX; Erik (Amanda) Jackson, Provo, Utah; and Anneliese Jackson, San Antonio, TX; 11 grandchildren: Nathan, Daniel, Andrew, Luke, Noah Johnson; Elsa, Leah, Mary, Isaac Kennington; Claire and Esther Wengel; parents: Robert and Ruth Jackson, Sutherland, Utah; siblings: Dorene (Bob) Terry, Delta Utah; Joyce (Will) Drury, West Jordan, Utah; Dale Jackson, Delta, Utah; brother-in-law: Chuck Nelson, Provo, Utah. Preceded in death by his sister: Ranae Nelson.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel at 645 Knights Cross Drive, San Antonio, TX.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m., at the Sutherland LDS Chapel, 2620 North 3000 West. Viewings will be held Sunday, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Nickle Mortuary; and Monday, 9:30-10:40 a.m., prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be in the Sutherland Cemetery.
Donations to CTRC, San Antonio, TX for cancer research at www.uthscsa.edu/patient-care/ctrc/donate are encouraged in lieu of flowers.