Richard Buckley Luthin, M.D.

Richard Buckley Luthin, M.D., of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on June 27, 2024, at the age of 92. Born in New York, New York, Richard was proud of his upbringing on Long Island. He enjoyed sharing stories about his daring youthful adventures in his Bellmore neighborhood, especially at the Old Mill Pond. His father, Hugo Alexander Luthin, a pharmacist, owned the local pharmacy where Richard perfected his work ethic at a very early age. When his father became ill, Richard caddied at the local golf course for sports legends Bobby Jones and Joe Louis and “flipped burgers” at Jones Beach. His mother, Mary Cecilia Buckley, instilled in him a desire to travel when she told stories about her lengthy train excursions in the 1920s. She also volunteered Richard for events at Saint Barnabas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Bellmore where the nuns could “help keep an eye on him.”

He graduated, Class of 1949, from Wellington C. Mepham High School. After high school, he received a Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in the Class of 1953. He went on to spend 12 years on active duty as a fighter pilot and engineering officer. During that time, he obtained an aeronautical engineering degree. The Navy transferred him to Jacksonville, where he met his wife Nellie Jo Wilson in March 1955. They married in 1956. As a devoted Navy wife, Nellie Jo enjoyed entertaining in Monterey and Coronado, California, until Richard announced his longtime desire to attend medical school. Following his graduation from the University of Florida Medical School in 1968, Richard and Nell established the Luthin OBGYN practice in Jacksonville, where Nell was the Office Manager for over 30 years. After delivering over 3,000 babies, Richard decided to close the medical practice to travel and spend more time with family. He also reinvented himself by teaching English online to students in France, Germany, Italy, and South America. Fluent in German and French, Richard was able to “work towards” fluency in Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Desiring to travel and still practice medicine with an emphasis on high-risk pregnancies and infertility, he became a “locum tenens” (temporarily fulfilling the duties of other physicians until a full time provider was selected) with assignments in Maine, Vermont, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Richard and Nell also continued to travel extensively for months at a time and immersed themselves in the various Western and Eastern European cultures. After his beloved wife of 67 years passed in 2023, Richard moved to independent senior living at Cypress Village near Jacksonville Beach where he enjoyed dining with the other residents.

He is survived by his daughter Bonnie Claire Luthin Miller; grandson Richard Luthin Miller (Peggy); granddaughter Claire Jeanell Miller Burns (Nick); great-grandson Henry Joseph Miller; great-granddaughter Laura Rosemary Miller; and a host of family and friends worldwide. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Nellie Jo Wilson Luthin; his parents Hugo Alexander Luthin and Mary Cecilia Buckley Luthin; his sister Muriel C. Luthin De Michele; and his son-in-law and best friend Joseph Edwin Miller.

Due to his love of foreign languages and cultures, his friendships extended beyond borders. He encouraged everyone to travel as a way to respect and understand others. With his rational and calm spirit and as a devout Roman Catholic, he shared his humble advice. “Keep your life simple” was his motto. Richard never boasted, but his great-grandson Henry says, “Poppy is the smartest in the family.”

In lieu of flowers, please continue daily acts of kindness and give to a charity of your choice or take a loved one to lunch. The visitation with an ongoing reception will be at the Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend John Reynolds as Celebrant. The interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. All are welcome. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville.

Richard's Beloved Wife's Obituary : https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/nellie-jo-luthin-11180440