Richard Laughlin Kidd

He is survived by his wife Maryellyn Kidd; son Richard W. C. Kidd of Playa del Rey, CA; daughter Leslie Kidd Egge and son-in-law Robert Egge of Falls Church, VA; and loving grandchildren William (15), Elizabeth (11), Katherine (6), and John (3) also of Falls Church, VA. He leaves behind a sister and brother-in-law Dr. and Mrs. John and Eleanor Anderson of Kingston, ON, Canada as well as nephews Bruce (Kingston, ON) and Jim Anderson (Toronto, ON) and niece Beth Anderson (Chilliwack, BC).

Richard Kidd was born on May 7, 1938 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Elizabeth Lana Curry and Dr. Harry Bell Kidd. Raised in Ottawa, Richard attended Ridley College (a college preparatory school) in St. Catharines, ON and Queen's University in Kingston, ON, graduating in 1963. Dr. Kidd did his Internship and Residency at Montreal General Hospital from 1963-1966, moving to Boston, Massachusetts to continue his research and Residency at Tufts University Medical Center. In the Spring of 1970, Dr. Kidd received the prestigious R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship and spent a year in Europe, conducting research and practicing medicine at universities in Austria, France and England. Returning to Canada in 1971, Dr. Kidd assumed the post of Head of Dermatology at Universite de Sherbrooke in Quebec.

On January 21, 1974, Dr. Kidd began a new chapter in his career by moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL to practice Dermatology and Pathology. As a board-certified Dermatologist, he built up a thriving private practice and was on staff at Holy Cross, Imperial Point and Northridge hospitals. He was the President of the Broward County Dermatology Society from 1987 - 1989 and Chief of Dermatology at Northridge Medical Center from 1990 - 1993. He also taught at the University of Miami Medical School.

Dr. Kidd's passion for medicine and helping others was rivaled only by his long-held love for cars. He bought his very first car, a used Porsche 356A, at the age of 18. After beginning work at Universite de Sherbrooke, got his first taste of racing at high speeds on tracks in Quebec. Before moving to Boston for his Residency, he bought his first, brand-new car, the iconic 1966 Corvette Stingray. Once in Florida, Dr. Kidd joined the Sports Car Club of America in 1978 and started racing avidly. He raced Formula Ford cars against young, up-and-comers like Michael Andretti, on many well-know tracks across the Southeast including Sebring International Raceway, PBIR (formerly known as Morosso Motorsports Park), and Daytona International Speedway as well as Road Atlanta and Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, GA. After winning two regional championships in the Formula Ford division in 1981 and 1985, Dr. Kidd advanced to race professionally in the TransAm Series against luminaries such as Paul Newman and Willy T. Ribbs in the Miami and St. Petersburg Grand Prix. He finished the St. Petersburg Grand Prix in 1985 in eighth place as the highest ranking privateer.

Dr. Kidd was first diagnosed with cancer in 1999. After treatment and a five-year remission, the cancer recurred. This second, year-long battle was a big one and the effects of treatment, while banishing the cancer for another 9 years, limited his ability to practice medicine. He decided to retire. Never one to give up, Dr. Kidd turned to another great passion: motorcycles. He spent much of his time riding motorcycles in the mountains of North Carolina and even using tracks to take his bike to higher speeds. He enjoyed riding all different kinds of bikes, including Ducatis, Triumphs, Yamahas, BMWs and tinkering with his very first bike, a 1969 Kowasaki Mach III.

There will be a visitation Friday, January 22nd from 6 - 8pm at Fred Hunter's at 4650 N. Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point, FL. The memorial service is being held at The Chapel of St. Andrew Episcopal Church 2707 NW 37th Street, Boca Raton, FL on Saturday, January 23rd at 6:30pm.