George Richard Granneman

Dr. G. Richard “Rick” Granneman passed away unexpectedly at his Marco Island home on January 17th at the age of 78. A man of unparalleled intellect, creativity, and warmth, Rick left an indelible mark on those who knew him. His loss is deeply felt, but his family and friends are grateful for the remarkable life he lived and the time they shared with him.

Rick’s life was defined by purpose, intensity, and curiosity. Born in Springfield, Illinois to George and Jule Granneman, he held a lifelong aspiration to be a “miracle worker.” He dedicated his career to making a tangible difference in people’s lives. As the first in his family to attend college, he pursued his education with tireless dedication, ultimately earning a PhD in Organic Chemistry with a specialty in Pharmacokinetics from the University of Kentucky.

His 33-year tenure at Abbott Laboratories culminated in his role as Vice President of Research and Development, during which he contributed to the approval of life-changing medications, including Humira, Depakote, Kaletra, and Norvir. Millions of people with severe illnesses, including inflammatory diseases, epilepsy, and HIV, benefited from his work. He served as a senior research fellow with over 125 publications, more than 7000 citations, and was responsible for 20 patents. He served on the editorial board for four peer-reviewed academic journals and lectured at 8 FDA Advisories. For Rick, every achievement brought immense fulfillment, and even the challenges of drug development inspired him to stay committed to his mission of improving lives.

In 2007, Rick and Billie retired to Marco Island, where he began a new chapter of creativity and connection. An extraordinarily gifted artist, Rick brought the same passion and innovative spirit to his paintings as he did to his scientific work. His pieces ranged from serene landscapes reflecting the beauty of Southwest Florida to deeply symbolic works with hidden spiritual meanings. Rick volunteered with the Marco Center for the Arts and the Artist Colony at the Esplanade, where he won multiple awards in their judged exhibits, shared his art and philosophy with others, and inspired them to explore their creativity.

Beyond his professional achievements and artistic endeavors, Rick found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He treasured family trips, lively game nights, and the search for the perfect Chicago pizza while living in Florida. His annual Christmas letters were filled with pride, celebrating his family’s accomplishments and sharing stories with humor and affection.

Rick also embraced his love of fishing, often navigating the Ten Thousand Islands with the same analytical mindset he applied to his career and art. His attention to detail and appreciation of nature made each fishing trip a fulfilling experience. Rick’s faith and curiosity about the transcendent were central to his life and work. He found beauty and purpose in creation, weaving reflections of these beliefs into his art to inspire others to ponder life’s mysteries.

Rick is survived by his wife, Billie; his children, Brian and Lindsey; his siblings, Jane (Chris) Hansen, James (Deb) Granneman, and Joanne Evans; his nieces and nephews, Lauren (Colin) Butler, Jennifer (Ryan) Mularky, Rachel Granneman, Michael Hansen, and Peter Granneman; his grand-niece, Wynona Butler and grand-nephew, Aaron Granneman.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held on Saturday, February 15th, at 11 AM at DaVinci’s Restaurant, Marco Island. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Our Daily Bread Pantry, St. Matthew’s House, The Salvation Army, or Samaritan’s Purse. Rick’s brilliance, compassion, and creativity touched countless lives. He will be remembered for what he accomplished and the love, curiosity, and inspiration he shared with all who knew him.