Richard “Dick” Milsten, M.D.

Richard “Dick” Milsten, M.D., a devoted family man and physician, passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of 84.

Dick was proud of his heritage and roots, having grown up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his older brothers Bob and Malcolm. Together, and throughout their lifetimes, they had an unshakeable bond, serving as a role model and legacy for his children and grandchildren. He fondly remembered his younger years as a summer camper at Camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin, where he learned to lead with character, love the outdoors, and “leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.”

Dick traveled east by train to attend Yale University, at the time an all-boys school. Fortunately, there was an all-girls school nearby, Connecticut College, and, in 1960, he was set up on a blind date with Nancy Feuerstein. The two were married in 1963 and later had three children: Scott, Sara, and Melissa.

After completing one year of Yale Law School, Dick’s mind turned to medicine, and the world is a better place because of it. He graduated from Columbia University with his M.D. in 1968, interned at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, and was a urologic resident at the Medical College of Virginia. After serving in the Navy from 1973-1975, he entered private practice in New Jersey. He was affiliated with West Jersey Hospital and Underwood Memorial Hospital and was co-director of the Mid-Atlantic Stone Center.

Dick was an outstanding technical physician, which he complimented with a famously patient and caring bedside manner. He practiced medicine for three decades, starting each morning by folding a 3×5 notecard in his pocket with patients’ names to visit. No day ended until his work was done and this list was completed.

Dick and Nancy retired to Orchid Island, Vero Beach, in 2000. They loved travel and together visited all seven continents, with Dick’s most memorable being Antarctica. In his later years, Dick declared he had seen everything he wanted to see in the world.

Once a doctor, always a doctor, Dick rendered as much medical wisdom and counseling in his retirement as his busiest days of practice, spending countless hours helping family and friends. For this service to the community, Dick was affectionately known as the Concierge of Orchid. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Indian River Hospital for over 20 years.

Dick is survived by his brother Malcolm; his wife, Nancy; his three children, Scott, Sara, and Melissa; their spouses, Julie, Daniel, and Jeff; and grandchildren: Ethan (21), Delanie (20), Nate (19), Sophie (18), Zoey (18), Clara (18), Ilana (13), and Liam (11) and many adoring cousins, nieces and nephews.

More than anything, Dick was keen to teach to the end and to share his wisdom and love with his family. He did this with enduring success.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.