Richard Bruce Stone

Richard Stone, 81, of Fountain Hills, AZ, passed away on 10/22/26, after a series of illnesses. Rich will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He showed so much grace and courage, and tried to maintain a sense of gratitude for each day he had.

Rich was a Valentine’s baby, born on February 14 in Chicago where he grew up near Lake Michigan. He was the second of three sons; his older brother Eliot was tragically stricken with encephalitis as an infant and was left with profound disabilities. Bruce was born four years after Rich, and they remained close throughout their lives. Their dad Albert was a traveling salesman for women’s hats and their mother Evelyn managed their home. Rich attended Lake View High School on the north side, graduating in 1962. Aspiring to be a medical doctor from a young age, he enrolled at University of Illinois where he studied chemistry, and then was admitted a year early to the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine where he completed his medical degree. Military recruiters came to his medical classroom and said he could volunteer as a medical officer or be drafted; having been voluntold, he enlisted in the Air Force, bravely serving as Captain Stone at Williams Air Force Base, AZ (1970-1973). Rich and his first wife Miriam were blessed with a son, Joseph Eliot Stone, who was born on the base in 1971. Subsequently, Rich was sent on a Tour of Duty in Viet Nam and Cambodia (unofficially), as the doctor attached to a Marine unit in the jungle. This was a harrowing experience that he was prevented from discussing until nearly 30 years had passed.

After Rich was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he backpacked in Europe for a few months and returned to the Phoenix area to work in community health. He then undertook residencies in San Francisco and Las Vegas in emergency medicine, eventually becoming Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine. He worked at hospitals and clinics in Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley, providing care to underserved populations. He was recruited to join a group which manned and advanced ERs at Scottsdale Memorial Osborn and Scottsdale Memorial North (now HonorHealth Osborn and Shea), helping to develop Scottsdale Osborn as a Level One Trauma Center. He was a true care giver, empathetic and genuine. He took great pride in treating ill family members of the other doctors in the group. Later in his career, he became a consultant on medical malpractice cases, ultimately retiring in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Rich was a die-hard sports fan for all Chicago teams. He loved baseball, football and basketball, especially in playoff seasons. He had fond memories of going to Cubs’ games with his dad, but the Bulls in the 1990s were his fav. He loved Don and Charlie’s ribs in Scottsdale. He loved to hike in the mountains, the desert, and in national parks. One of his favorite trips was rafting with Joe in Montana. He was a runner and downhill skier in his younger days, and a lifelong advocate for cardiovascular workouts; he used the elliptical machines and treadmills as long as he was able to. He was a lifelong learner, loved movies and Netflix, news shows, and documentaries.

Rich had a romantic and compassionate soul and a terrific laugh. Family was everything to him. Joe was the light of Rich’s life and they maintained a very close bond as adults, sharing frequent and spirited discussions around their love of sports and politics and current events. In 1999, Rich met Debby, and they were together ever since, eventually marrying in 2011. He was gentle and kind, and he loved to give her roses. They were able to take some memorable trips to Seattle and the San Juan Islands, California, the Oregon coast, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Colorado, and Minnesota, as well as Italy, Paris, and Spain.

Rich was predeceased by his father Albert Stone and his mother Evelyn (Hirshman) Stone; his older brother Eliot, and his younger brother Bruce. He is survived by his cherished wife, Debby Mittelman; his son Joe of Laughlin, NV; and his bonus children Dove Buppert (Matt) of Nashville, TN and Nash Mittelman of Richmond, CA. Rich was beloved by his two bonus grandchildren, who called him “Curly”, his chosen grandpa name. Other survivors include niece Amanda Stone Nowak of Boise, ID; nephew Matt Stone of Bozeman, MT; cousins Mark Stone, Nancy Stone Lichter, and Eric Stone, all of Seattle, and their families; extended family of in-laws, and a few close friends.

Services have been private, with arrangements by Green Acres Mortuary. The family will announce plans for a Celebration of Life for Rich for a date to be determined.

Rich was a longtime supporter of National Public Radio and PBS. He would have greatly appreciated contributions to your local National Public Radio or PBS television stations.