Richard "Rich" Joseph Sweeney

Richard Joseph Sweeney, of Seattle, Washington passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. He was 45 years old. Born September 20, 1976, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Kathryn Gromala Sweeney and the late John J. Sweeney, Jr., and the beloved husband of Lauri Starek Sweeney, with whom he shared 13 years of marriage.

Rich grew up in Norristown, playing baseball and soccer from elementary school on, adding the cello in high school. He attended the University of Scranton, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree, and then he went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University. Rich served in the Navy for 5 years. During that time he served in the Construction Battalion 133 and on the USS Tortuga, crossed the equator, and transitioned from a slimy pollywog to a trusty shellback. From then, he practiced emergency medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada and Seattle, Washington.

Rich was an animal lover and doted on his pets, dog Benjamin Franklin and cats Kameko and Katsu. He was an avid sports fan and loved attending Seattle Mariners baseball games, Seattle Sounders soccer games, and watching the Seattle Seahawks play football. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending free time cycling, fishing, and taking long walks around the city. He also loved cooking elaborate meals and home brewing, generously sharing the fruits of these labors with his friends and family.

In addition to his mother Kathryn and wife Lauri, he is survived by his sister Mary Sweeney-Lehr (brother-in -law Chris and niece Isabella) and brother Dan (sister-in-law Tammy).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM May 1, 2022 at First Free Methodist Church in Seattle, 3200 3rd Ave W, Seattle, 98119.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Seattle Humane Society.

Rich's urn will be laid to rest in his hometown of Norristown, Pennsylvania. A memorial mass will be held at Visitation BVM Catholic Church, 196 North Trooper Rd, Norristown, PA on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00AM. Friends and family may call from 10 to 10:50 AM at the church.