Richards Lyon, MD, UCSF clinical faculty member and inventor, leaves a legacy of compassionate care and pioneering inventions from a lifetime of serving others. He died on December 7th 2016 of complications from a fall at 100 years old.
Dr. Lyon trained as an engineer prior to studying medicine and selecting a career in pediatric urology. The combination proved rewarding, resulting in a plethora of inventions including: the initial design for compression socks; cord blocks for de-torsion of testicle for salvage of its function; a litter scale for measuring daily fluid gains and losses; a urodynamic detector called the “piddle pattern”; a bilateral ureterostomy among others.
He did not slow down after retirement. Taking inspiration from his surroundings, he published two books on wine making and photographed and authored the book “1000 Napa County Wildflowers.” And, at 93, he published his memoir, “A Process Mind” chronicling his life as a doctor, inventor, war hero, traveler, photographer, father and friend; underscoring the dogged tenacity it takes to stay true to one’s passions.
Dr. Lyon’s wife Carol, an accomplished artist, passed away in 2015. He is survived by their three daughters Kathleen, Joan and Laura.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in his memory, to the Napa Valley Food Bank, 1766 Industrial Way, Napa CA 94558
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