Dr. Richard Charles Pembrook

91, a resident of South Kingstown, Rhode Island passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021.

Richard was a devoted husband and father.  He is survived by his wife, Jenifer Pembrook; and her son, Lawrence Cordoya, and his daughters, Rebecca Ruth Pembrook, of Dunedin, Florida; and Heather Marie Pembrook of Huntington, Vermont.  He had many interests and passions during his lifetime.  Some included: medicine, gardening, Reggae music, the beach, fishing, gunsmithing, politics, Native American art, weightlifting, science fiction, physical therapy, coin collecting and jogging just to name a few. His love and devotion will be deeply missed by his “girls” and the many lives positively served by his legacy in the field of medicine.

Richard was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 12,1930 the only child to Roy and Ruby Pembrook.  He was raised in Nebraska and Minnesota.  After serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in 1957.  He went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School and received his MD in 1963.  Dr. Pembrook had many prestigious positions which included affiliation and employment with three Veterans Administration hospitals.  He was the holder of the Korean Service Medal with 3 battle stars.  Additionally, as a physician he was Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.   He practiced cardiology and internal medicine from 1963-2010 in Minnesota, New Mexico, Iowa, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Maryland.

As an accomplished weightlifter, Richard’s personal best records include 635 lbs. with deadlift, 405 lbs. with squat, and 365 lbs. with bench press.  He is honored in the Minnesota Weightlifting Hall of Fame and continued to visit the weightlifting gym three times per week until he was 80 and sidelined by an injury.

One of Richard’s (Dick’s) proudest accomplishment was his work in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and the many sponsees that he mentored during his more than 32 years of sobriety.  During his recovery, he embraced the Twelves Steps in both word and action.

A funeral service will be held at the Rhode Island Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter, RI on August 12 at 12:30 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather in the cemetery Administration parking lot at 12:15pm. A celebration of Richard’s life with the family will be held on August 12 following the funeral from 1:30-3:30 at Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. In lieu of flowers, consider making a gift to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, an organization Richard was deeply committed to.