Richard James Krebsbach, M. D.

On July 21, 2012, Dr. Richard James Krebsbach, 85, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Richard passed away from complications due to Multiple Myeloma. He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline V. Krebsbach on December 18, 1982 and is survived by his five children: Valerie Martin, Cathey Warren, Teresa Mastrup, Fred Krebsbach and Richard Krebsbach, Jr.

"Doc, " as he was known as to many, was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren, Kathlynn Roysdon, Gregory DeLong, Madeline & Hailey Mastrup, Molly and Rachel Warren, and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt & Reagan Roysdon.

Richard was born to Frederich James Krebsbach and Helen Powers Krebsbach on March 22, 1927 in Minneapolis Minnesota. He attended St. Thomas Military Academy in Saint Paul MN, graduating with distinction in 1945. After serving his country during World War II in the Army of Occupation, Richard attended the University of Minnesota for both his undergraduate degree and doctorate degrees, graduating in 1954 in the top 10% of his medical school class receiving the Phi Beta Capa equivalent for medical school.

After medical school, Richard moved to Los Angeles California completing his residency at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital where he met is wife, Madeline, a nurse at the VA, whom he married in 1956.

Richard obtained three specialties during his medical career, one in Aeronautical Medicine, one in Occupational Medicine and one in Addictive Medicine. He worked for the Northrop Corporation located in Hawthorne, California for 35 years, 20 years as their Corporate Medical Director overseeing worldwide corporate medical operations in the United States, the Middle East, and Europe.

Richard was both a Clinical Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California as well as an Associate Clinical Professor of Community and Environmental Medicine at UC Irvine from 1985 to 2000. He was on the staff of Centinela Hospital, Daniel Freeman Hospital, Robert F. Kennedy Hospital, Little Company of Mary Hospital and Torrance Memorial Hospital, and on the board of directors of the USC School of Pharmacy and the Advisory Board of the Harbor Area Occupational Nurses Association.

Richard was not only a life long learner but a voracious reader-- it was not unusual for him to be reading over 20 books and publications at one time. If Richard was not at work, he could often be found in his favorite chair with multiple stacks of history, art and science books surrounding him. A keen mind with a photographic memory, a conversation with Richard would most likely yield the correct answer to any question you may have.

After retirement, Richard selflessly volunteered his time as a hospice and spiritual counsel for the Steven's Ministries--a non-denominational layperson one-on-one caring ministry for people in the community where he was known as a patient, caring and understanding counselor.

The celebration of his life will be at 11:00 am, Friday, July 27, 2012, at St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, California with reception immediately following. Private graveside services will be held the following day at Holy Cross Cemetery for the immediate family .

The Family would like to thank the home health aids Leo and Arthur as well as the nurses and staff of the Canterbury located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of Richard's favorite charities: Steven Ministries, Doctors Without Borders, The Smile Train or the International Myeloma Foundation.




Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275