Dr. Richard Anthony Josof, D.O., age 78, of Hobe Sound, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 10, 2015, after a year-long battle with cancer.

A longtime resident of Akron, Ohio, Richard practiced orthopedic surgery there for close to 30 years and founded North Hill Orthopedics, a private practice located in the North Hill area of Akron, in 1973. Today the practice continues as North Star Orthopedics.

Richard also established the residency program in orthopedic surgery at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in 1974. The program continues at the facility, now Western Reserve Hospital. Over the years more than 50 orthopedic surgeons have graduated from the five-year program.

Born May 8, 1936, in Berkley, Michigan, to Lebanese immigrant parents Sam and Delilah Josof, Richard graduated from Berkley High School in Berkley, Michigan, and attended the University of Detroit and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.He graduated from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1962, completed his internship and orthopedic residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital in 1966 and established North Hill Orthopedics in Akron, Ohio, in 1973.

Certified in orthopedic surgery, Richard was a member of the American Osteopathic Association and a fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. He served as chairman of Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital's Department of Orthopedics and also served on both the hospital board of trustees and its corporate board of trustees. Additionally, in 2001 Richard was designated a clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.

Richard retired in 2002 and moved to Hobe Sound, Florida, in 2006.

Known as a compassionate doctor with a calming presence, a quick wit and genuine care for all those he met, Richard enjoyed golf and spending time with his family. A longtime member of Fairlawn Country Club, Akron, Ohio, he had also been a member of Brookside Country Club in Canton, Ohio; Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio; and Hobe Sound Golf Club, Hobe Sound, Florida.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Delilah; stepmother Nabeha Bostany Domit Josof of Birmingham, Alabama; brothers, John and Raymond; and sisters, Lorraine Josof and Louise Najjar (Ernest).

Richard leaves behind his beloved wife of 51 years, Renee Victoria Owen Josof, and his beloved daughters, Victoria Dodds (Dr. Stephen), Lisa McKenna (Nyall), Kristine Johnson (Scott), and Teresa Haas (Dr. Garrie); 10 grandchildren; and stepsisters, Mary Domit Tanory (Joseph), and Louise Domit Josof (Raymond).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 10:00 am at Saint Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Palm City.

Contributions as a Memorial may be made and would be appreciated to the Saint Christopher Catholic Church, or to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, Florida 34997.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com