Joseph Richard Settlemayer

Joseph Richard Settelmayer (born May 24, 1929, in Cincinnati, Ohio), passed away on May 22, 2015, in the presence of loving family members. Joseph Richard was a devoted Catholic man, husband, father and grandfather. He married Laura Ann Fitzgerald April 27, 1957, at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in San Pedro, California, and fathered eight children: Joseph, Steve, Dan, Greg, Ann, John (deceased), Peter and Mary Rose, who were raised in the couple’s Catholic faith, with the support of clergy, community and a tight knit group of Catholic family friends—affectionately known as “the Gourds.” Joseph Richard also is survived by sixteen grand children, two great grandchildren, and his wife, Mary Starr, whom he married in Glenns Falls, New York, on March 8, 1997. The couple had survived their respective beloved spouses, Laura Settelmayer and Stan Anderson. Joseph Richard is also survived by his brother Michael of Palatine, Illinois. Joseph Richard practiced medicine for more than 35 years. From 1960 to 1996, he developed one of the largest pediatrics practices in the greater Whittier, California area--specializing in neonatology. Dr. Settelmayer served as Chief of staff at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, Whittier, and Director of the Hospital’s Neonatal ICU for more than twenty years. In 1978 he became a member of the California Board of Medical Examiners. After serving many years on the associate faculty of the University of Southern California’s School of Medicine, he was made Emeritus Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in February of 1987. He was also a founding member of Bright Medical Group. After his wife Laura passed away in 1992, Joseph Richard moved to Temecula, California, where he prepared for retirement. He was a founding parishoner of St. Catherine’s of Alexandria, Temecula, a member of the parish choir and lay minister of the eucharist, after many years of similar service at St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier. He also had been a member of St. Philip Benizi Parish in Fullerton. Joseph Richard was raised in the Midwest by parents of German descent—living in Iowa and suburbs of Chicago, as well as Cincinatti. His father was the organist for Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago. He attended Saint Procopius College (now “Illinois Benedictine University”) in Lisle, Illinois, where he was inducted into “Who’s Who Amoung Students in American College and Unversities,” in consideration of his many and varied academic and extracurricular activities and achievements. Joseph Richard was a top scholar, active in student government—a community organizer, and leading thespian—capturing the title role in Moliere’s “The Miser.” He also played starting center on the College’s varsity basketball team at only 6’3.” In 1955, He graduated from Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. In the summer of 1955, Joseph Richard packed his bags for the big move to Los Angeles, California. He completed his internship at Los Angeles County General Hospital and in 1956 started his residency at the same hospital, where he became Chief Resident. Dr. Settelmayer served in the Navy as a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps from 1958 to 1960. He volunteered for service due to his sense of obligation to the Nation. He felt that the Country had given him the privilege of finishing school and obtaining his medical degree. He was commited to God and was a family oriented person. His special interests were medical ethics, travel, wood working, the parish choir, classical music, Frango Mints and Trojan Football—FIGHT ON! He did hate one thing in life—broccoli. Actually, two—he also despised the Fighting Irish. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine’s of Alexandria, Temecula, at Noon on May 29th. Rosary at England Family Mortuary, Temecula 7:00 pm, May 28th.