Dick completed his medical training at the University of Minnesota, did an Internship in Duluth, Minnesota, and after an Army tour, moved to Rapid City in 1957. Sine that time he has devoted his life to his patients in Rapid City. He had the longest standing tenure on the staff at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Dick served many years on the Board of the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians; and is our only member to have served as President for two terms.

I remember the first time I met Dick. I was finishing my Army obligation and came to Rapid City for job interviews. He invited me to his home and we spent a long afternoon out on his deck and walking along the creek talking about medicine and about life in general. Dick had such an engaging personality about him. When I drove away that afternoon, I remember clearly saying to myself, "I want to be just like him!"

He told me he didn’t want me to join the clinic for just a year or two and then move on; I needed to commit myself to my patients and to the community. And so, it’s been my honor to work with him for nearly twenty years.

During that time Dick never spoke an angry word about any person. He was the ultimate gentleman. He always greeted me with an amazing smile, although sometimes a weary one. And throughout all his medical problems, I always knew that Dick Finley worked harder when he was feeling bad than I did when I felt good. His love and commitment to his patients literally defines the title "Family Physician."

His patients, friends, partners and staff will miss him dearly.