Obituary of Dr. Richard G. Valido

Richard (Rick) Valido, M.D., FACOG, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Rick was the dearly treasured oldest son of Dr. and Mrs. Constantino Valido. After being born in Baltimore, Maryland, he had an adventurous childhood, including spending his early years living in the Philippines. Rick became bi-lingual at an early age and translated Tagalog to English for his American-born mother. Rick was quickly followed by his siblings – who he adored – Suzanne, Debbie, and Paul. After the Philippines, Rick’s family moved to Dayton, Ohio where he spent most of his childhood (even after leaving Dayton for college, Rick still went back regularly to his barber for over 30 years). He had a wonderful high-school experience at Archbishop Carroll – where he proudly played soccer, a passion he carried throughout his life, ultimately leading him to become a die-hard FC Cincinnati Fan. After high-school, Rick attended the University of Cincinnati and became an avid Bearcat for the rest of his life. After college, Rick followed in the footsteps of his father to become a physician and attended Wright State University School of Medicine, where he graduated as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. While in medical school, he made two very important discoveries: first, his passion for obstetrics and gynecology. Second, and most important, his beloved wife, Kellie. They settled in Cincinnati, his wife’s hometown where he began his admired medical career, caring for thousands of patients across Cincinnati and delivering thousands of healthy babies. The outpouring of letters he received from his patients when they found out he was ill warmed his heart to no end. He always made his patients feel seen and cared for. Rick’s true joy in life was being a father to his sons, Ben and Matt. He delighted in spending time with them and watching them grow up. He loved watching them participate in sports and found a way to be part of the CCDS football chain gang to get the best view of the football field. He could not have been prouder of them, and he was blessed to see them both graduate from college, launch careers and to welcome Ben’s amazing wife Lily into the family. He also loved being an uncle to 9 amazing nieces and nephews. By living in Cincinnati, close to siblings, parents and in-laws the Valido family remained a loving, close knit family. If you knew Rick, you knew he was a true renaissance man. He had a brilliant, curious mind and always wanted to learn more about how things worked. Over the years, he always had new and evolving hobbies – from photography, fountain pens, and vintage watches to even becoming a fitness fanatic (he was a hardcore Peloton user, keeping up an active 151-week workout streak; even when he got sick, he kept his streak going with meditations). Despite these varied interests, a common theme throughout his hobbies was forming new relationships and building upon friendships, whether that meant online, at his pen shows, or in the park on his long runs. Rick did nothing half-way – whatever, his latest passion was in life, he went all in. Above all, this included cooking, not only his hobby, but a central way to how he expressed his love for his family. Some of his family’s favorite memories include his cooking, especially over Thanksgiving and when he made Filippino food. Rick approached his illness with strength and fortitude, on his worst days the most he would ever say is he “felt a little tired.” He was grateful for the medical care he received, and he always made every effort to get to know his caregivers and find commonality with them. Fitting with his life’s work in women’s health care (in lieu of flowers) please consider a donation to The Women’s Center at Good Samaritan Hospital via the Good Samaritan Hospital foundation in memory of Dr. Richard Valido (GSHfoundation.com). A celebration of life will be held Saturday August 17. 2024, 11:00 am at Armstrong United Methodist Church, 5125 Drake Road, Cincinnati OH, 45243.