Richard Cleveland Distad, MD

Richard Cleveland (Dick) Distad age 96 of Chagrin Falls, Ohio passed away on Sunday morning March 22, 2026. Dick is preceeded by his loving wife of 63 years Cecilia Bartlett Distad who passed away April 1, 2021. Dick is survived by his sons; Richard Neall of Cleveland Heights, OH (fiancéé Brenda Oreilly) and William Edward of Oslo Norway (wife Hilde); the dear grandfather of Catharine Manning, Henry Cleveland, Christopher Pierce and Tor-Erlend Distad (wife Karoline) and dear great grandfather of; Marcella, George, Louis and Olaf Distad. He was the dear son of the late Dr. Hjalmer C. Distad and Lavina M. Distad formerly of Chagrin Falls OH.

Dick practiced pediatric medicine in the greater Cleveland area for over 41 years. Starting with fledgling solo practice in 1960, then joining the practice Pediatric Associates Inc. culminating as a pediatric clinician at the Cleveland Clinic, Solon, Ohio until his retirement in 2021.

Richard was born December 29, 1929 in Silver City New Mexico to Lavina and Hjalmer Distad, first and third generation Norwegian immigrants. Hjalmer served as Dean of the College of Education at The University of New Mexico. In 1934 the Distad’s moved to Akron Ohio where Hjalmer was recruited as associate dean of the department of education at Buchtel College now the University of Akron.

The Distad’s attended the Universalist Church in Akron where Richard developed a close relationship with minister Dr. George C. Banner.

Dick’s pediatrician, Dr. Ulrich, left a memorable impression which guided his journey into medicine. At age 14, Dick contracted bulbar polio during the polio epidemic. Following his recovery, Dick became inspired to help the other children afflicted with polio. On his own intuition he began showing movies to the children at the hospital. Once the hospital became aware of his efforts, a space was dedicated for the showings. And a local store provided a professional projector and movie films to use at no charge. Ultimately this drew attention with an article published in the

Akron Beacon Journal and in the church newsletter article written by Minister Dr. George C. Bannerwho wrote: “We feel that Dick has something there, and what he has is going to help the world,more than treaties and laws and politicians”. Later, Dick took a position as hospital orderly at Children’s Hospital transferring patients and cleaning operating rooms.

Dick entered pre-medicine at Buchtel College (The University of Akron) and medical school at The Ohio State University, graduating with the class of 1955. Dick completed his residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland Ohio.

There he met his future wife Cecilia Neall Bartlett. Dick and Cecilia married on May 18, 1957. Dick and Cecilia then moved to Alaska when orders were received to report to 5001 st USAF Hospital Ladd AFB, Fairbanks Alaska with the rank of Captain. There Dick served 2 years as base pediatrician under his service contract with Air Force ROTC.

Dick and Cecilia were active collectors of Colonial American Decorative Arts and were among the founding members of The American Furniture Collectors group which was in support of the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland. In time for the U.S. 1776 bicentennial, the collectors’ group with support from W.H.R.S. started an Antiques Show which brought many prominent art and antique dealers to Cleveland.

Dick and Cecilia were also founding members of The Decorative Arts Trust, Cleveland Chapter and benefactors of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm in the Chapel of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 Thursday June 18, 2026.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to either The OHIO Chapter of the Back Country Hunters and Anglers: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/donate/give or The Greater Cleveland Foodbank:   https://support.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/site/Donation.