Richard Joseph Hart Jr.

Richard J. Hart, Jr. MD, 83, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Friday, May 2, 2025. His good humor, boundless energy, and joyful presence will be missed by all lucky enough to have encountered “Doc.”

Richard was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 3, 1941, to Richard and Lemoyne Hart. He was a devoted son and a loving brother to his younger sister Lee Mary Hart Kalvitis. He attended North Granby Memorial High School and was awarded an academic scholarship to Yale University, graduating in 1963. He later joined the Yale School of Medicine (class of 1967).

Richard met his future wife, Lilian Quintella, on a memorable cross-country road trip in 1966. They were married in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1967. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War, he and Lilian settled in Falls Church, Virginia, where they raised their two children, Michael and Anna-Maria.

During his nearly 50 years of practicing Cardiology and Internal Medicine in Northern Virginia, Doc’s passion for medicine helped countless patients and their families navigate difficult times. Truly a member of the “old guard,” he was known for his unwavering patience, late-night house calls, and tireless commitment to the health of his charges. He was beloved by his patients, his colleagues, and the many nurses with whom he worked.

When not caring for patients, Doc treasured time with his family above all else. He enjoyed birdwatching, golf, and attending any event in which his grandchildren participated. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals and relished all the heartache and joy that came with it. He was a devout Catholic and lived a happy, humor-filled, God-centered life.

Doc is survived by his devoted wife Lilian, his sister Lee Mary, his children Michael and Anna-Maria, his daughter-in-law Catherine Hart, and his son-in-law Ted Rogers. “Pop-pop” is also survived by his adored grandchildren Sophie and Andrew Hart, and George, John, Luke, and Thomas Rogers.

We miss you, Doc. The kids miss Pop-Pop. The world misses Richard.

You are forever in our hearts, and your birds will be well fed.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon on Friday, May 30, at the Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ansabrasil.org.