Richard E. Blackwell PhD, MD

Richard E Blackwell PhD, MD, a long-term resident of Birmingham and devoted husband and father, passed away Monday morning, December 9, 2024. Dr. Blackwell was born on August 4, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard passed away at his home from heart disease and complications from a fall occurring in late August. One of his fellows wrote to him in a recent letter “It is ironic you have heart disease because you have one of the biggest hearts I ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

Richard (known as Dick to many of his friends and colleagues) was the consummate physician and scientist. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Jacksonville University, his master’s at the University of South Florida, and his PhD at the Baylor College of Medicine. As a basic scientist Richard studied the neuro-endocrinology – the hormonal signaling - of the brain. He would always recall his experience with fondness - and not a little trepidation - completing his doctoral thesis under the guidance of the incomparable, often petulant, and always very French, Roger Guillemin, who would go on to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1977. Dr. Guillemin made the study of wine a part of his PhD education. Knowledge that Richard passed on to his many residents and fellows.

In completing his doctoral studies, Richard was awarded prestigious Fellowships from the U.S. Public Service and the Ford Foundation. Richard continued his scientific studies as a postdoctoral fellow with Guillemin at the Salk Institute, where the scientist had moved the year before. Deciding that he could do more for patients as a physician than as a basic scientist, Richard returned to Baylor to complete his medical degree. In 1975 he came to Birmingham to continue his training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) as a resident in obstetrics and gynecology under the chairmanship of Charles E. Flowers Jr. With his continued interest, expertise, and passion for endocrinology, Richard went on to complete a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine under the mentorship of J. Benjamin Younger, Sr, with whom he developed a life-long friendship. He was board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and held a certification of special competence in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. He served on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Surgery.

Richard became the second member of the growing Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at UAB, a unit that would go on to become nationally acclaimed for its leadership in the care of women’s reproductive needs.

Subsequent years proved academically prolific for Richard. He delivered over 300 invited lectures nationally and internationally, published over 90 peer reviewed articles, 66 abstracts, 67 book chapters, and eight books including their subsequent editions and translations. He was appointed to the rank of full professor in 1987 and subsequently served as director of the Division of Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. He was named Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of the American College of Surgeons, and member of numerous prestigious organizations, including the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, the Endocrine Society, the American Physiological Society and the Society for the Study of Reproduction. He served on study sections for both the National Science foundation and the National Institutes of Health He was a member of the board of directors for Complete Health, a member of the scientific advisory boards of numerous pharmaceutical companies such as Serno Laboratories, and Takeda Abott Pharmaceuticals. He received 42 grants and contracts and was proud to play a principal role in the development of eight pharmaceutical products and bioappliances.

In addition, Richard provided wise guidance and mentorship to many residents, fellows-in-training, and young faculty in the division. He touched the lives of not only his colleagues but of his patients; they loved him. Subsequently he administered healthcare to multiple generations within a family. He was passionate about women’s health and reproductive care, and an expert in female neuroendocrinology. He also was a constant and cautionary voice in defense of the infertile patient, who are often at their most vulnerable and easily ill-treated financially and emotionally. Richard never ceased to be a passionate and indomitable advocate for patients and their care. He retired from UAB as Emeritus Professor in 2013 and continued to see patients through the Health Services Foundation until 2020 when he left UAB after 46 years. Many colleagues and former patients continued to contact him for medical advice even after his departure from the University.

Richard was an ardent reader and a collector of books including historical medical texts. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a proud forest landowner. Always on the quest for knowledge, he enjoyed learning about the management of forest land and the business of growing timber. He spent many weekends at his farm in Butler County operating tractors and pruning fruit trees.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Mildred Blackwell. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kathryn Blackwell, daughter Beth Blackwell, son-in law Matt Grcic, grandson Oliver Burns Blackwell, and former wife Elizabeth Blackwell, all of Birmingham.

It was his specific wish and direction that no funeral services be held on his behalf. His preference was for family members and friends to gather to honor and celebrate the cycle of life. He believed death should not be mourned. In lieu of flowers, an educational fund has been set up for his grandson, Oliver Burns Blackwell. You may donate via Everloved.com or send a check to the Blackwell College Fund at PO Box 55074, Birmingham, AL 35205. Additional information on the celebration of Richard’s life will be available later in January.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood.