Richard H “Dick” Warburton

Richard H “Dick” Warburton, MD, 86 years, passed away quietly at St. Luke’s Hospital on October 20, 2020 surrounded by his family.

            Dick Warburton was born in Groton, MA and grew up in New Bedford. He attended Tufts University both as an undergraduate and as a medical school student. He served proudly as a Flight Surgeon, for the US Air Force. As a young Intern, his goal was to become a General Practitioner like his father. When Dr. Warburton earned a spot in the residency program at Women & Infants Hospital, for Obstetrics (formerly the Providence Lying-In Hospital) he found his life-long calling. He returned to New Bedford in 1962 and joined New Bedford Obstetrical, and helped to build the practice now known as HealthCare for Women.

            In 2008, Dr. Warburton retired after a rewarding medical career delivering over 10,000 babies.  During his career and continuing after retirement he was deeply involved in the Southeastern Massachusetts community. He is a past President of the Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford, a Member of the Board of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, of New Bedford, and an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Dartmouth and Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford. He was also committed to other community service projects supported by: the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, the United Way, The New Bedford Luncheon Club and Buttonwood Park Zoo.  Dick believed that joy was rooted in service to others and held to a philosophy that happy people do better in the long run. An eternal optimist, he believed that “we do the best we can while we’re here.”

            Even though Dick was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2013, he remained committed to advancing medicine and science. He participated in a 3-year research project through Rhode Island’s Butler Hospital to study the impact of deep brain stimulation on the early state of the disease. He was a firm believer that through science a treatment or cure will be found.

            Dick was dedicated to his family. He is predeceased by Barbara, his wife of 47 years and upon his death, he leaves his wife Norma Olivier Warburton. He was devoted to his three children, Pamela Mirick of Bristol, RI, Richard Jr of Mansfield, MA and Lynne Najarian of Milford, MA, his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

            In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be provided in his memory to: The Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford/Wareham or the charity of your choice.

Due to COVID-19, his private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.