Dr. Russell Rule Rycheck
June 11, 1932 - December 17, 2021
Service: Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 10 am; St. Ferdinand Church
Dr. Russell Rule Rycheck
Age 89, of Cranberry Township (formerly of O’Hara Township) was welcomed with open arms into his heavenly home on December 17th, 2021.
He was the cherished husband of Joan for 59 years, the gentle and caring father of his son Michael (Ron Hernandez) and daughter Juley (David) Stragand and the proud and devoted PAPPY to his grandson Zachary.
He was preceded in death by his father Alphonse, mother Sarah and brother Mark.
Dr. Rycheck was a faculty member at the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) in the Department of Epidemiology for 42 years and held a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh. He was a diplomat inGeneral Preventative Medicine, American Board of Preventative Medicine and a fellow in the American College of Preventative Medicine.
He received his M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and his Masters in Public Health and Dr. P.H. from the University of Pittsburgh GSPH. He completed his residency and fellowship in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital where he met his future wife, Joan.
Dr. Rycheck was the Epidemiology consultant for the Allegheny County Health Department and worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control.
For 40 years he was a member of the consulting staff at Children’s Hospital and the Infection Committees at Presbyterian and Magee Women’s Hospitals.
Dr. Rycheck‘s focus and primary role at the GSPH was that of a teacher, where he had the respect and admiration of his students and fellow faculty members. During his teaching career he received the Excellence in Teaching award from the GSPH students, the Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni award, the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award multiple times, and the Margaret Gloninger award for his teaching and service to the GSPH and to the community.
Family and friends are welcome to join a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Cranberry Twp, with Rev. John Gallagher celebrating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Dr. Rycheck’s name to: The Dr. Russell Rycheck Student Award in Public Health; Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement, 128 N. Craig Street, Pgh, PA 15260.
Please visit www.devlinfuneralhome.com to view this tribute, and send online condolences.
He will be greatly missed by family and extended family. Rest in peace.
…I was both a student of Dr. Rycheck’s and a colleague in the Department of Epidemiology at the GSPH/Pitt…in the 1970’s…I worked on the MRFIT study…Russ was and outstanding teacher and Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist and Clinician…and most of all he was a kind person with a gentle heart…I have fond memories of Dr. Russell Rule Rycheck…Rest in Peace, Russ…John Zanardelli
Michael and Juley–We are so sorry to hear about your Father’s passing. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless the Rycheck family during this difficult time.
Jim and Angie Kweder
I was lucky enough to have Dr Rycheck as my advisor for my MPH and to work with him for over 20 years in the Introduction to Epidemiology class where he not only taught but mentored countless students at the GSPH. He embodied incredible prowess as a teacher and kindness in his dealings with students, always building them up and providing encouragement. We will miss him greatly
Russ was an amazing support and advocate for all of us in the department.
As faculty he guided us though various administrative issues…. and how he loved the students.
Russ, because of his kind and fair ways, made me a better mentor to my students..
Dear Rycheck Family,
Dr. Rycheck was such an important part of my graduate education. I used to love sitting in his office, piled hile with papers around us, and listen and learn from him. He was an extraordinary professor and mentor – someone I have aspired to be like in my 20+ years as a teacher.
Juley – I will forever remember your dad and how senstive he was to my own father’s illness years ago. He will be sorely missed. Randi Wolf (Alumna Class of 1998).