In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Stephen Lucie
August 12, 1949 – December 10, 2021
Founding partner of the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and the first Jacksonville Jaguars team physician, Dr. Richard Stephen Lucie, peacefully passed from this earth surrounded by family on December 10, 2021, at the age of 72 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was a charming and clever thrill-seeker and fun-lover.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, on August 12, 1949, Steve was raised mostly in Savannah as the only child of Glennis and Dick Lucie. Steve’s obsession with the southern coastal lands began in Savannah and never wavered—he always assessed the tides, the fish, the weather cycles.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill where he formed unshakeable bonds and memories as a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. His college nickname was “Goose.” Amusement would surely peak when the “Goose was loose.”
After college, Steve enrolled in The Medical College of Georgia where he met a beautiful nursing student named Sharon and asked her on a date in the student center. From that moment forward, they formed an inseparable bond that blossomed and grew stronger every day. The pair were married on April 6, 1974, in Vero Beach, Florida. They had two sons, Ryland (Cameron) of Jacksonville and Craig (Alexandra) of Atlanta. In his boys, Steve instilled a value for self-sufficiency. His five grandchildren called him “Poppy.”
During his orthopaedic residency at the University of Colorado in Denver, he excelled at healing others and was named Most Outstanding Resident. While in Colorado, he completed flight training and became a pilot and served on the ski patrol as a medic.
After his residency, Steve briefly practiced in Denver, but his love for the sea drew back to his coastal roots, and he settled in Jacksonville.
He was proud of his involvement in establishing the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, a nationally renowned high school athletics program that promotes safe standards and proper training to prevent and treat injuries. The program has since become a model for the rest of the country. He also developed and led the Jacksonville Jaguars’ sports medicine program. Until May of this year, he was the president of the Florida Orthopaedic Society, on the Board of Counselors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and on the Board of Delegates for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports. He served as president of the Duval County Medical Society, president of the Florida Alliance of Sports Medicine Physicians, and president of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program as well as both chairman and vice-chairman of the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.
Monday through Friday, Steve diligently tended to his private practice, getting patients back to their jobs and enjoying their daily pursuits. Routinely, the weekend was not a break for Steve, especially during football season. Steve relished in “Friday Night Lights” at The Bolles School, Saturdays at Jacksonville University, and Jaguars games on Sundays as the head team physician of all three programs.
For his many contributions to their sports medicine regimes, facilities were named in Steve’s honor at The Bolles School and Jacksonville University in 2021. In January, Steve will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Jacksonville University.
Waking up early allowed him plenty of time for his hobbies. A nationally ranked king fisherman, he competed in numerous tournaments, placing often, and was pursued by sponsors.
Steve embraced a good challenge and accepted one from his wife to run a marathon. Together, they completed 10 marathons and like their loving relationship, it was always Steve chasing his wife. After his recent retirement, Steve renewed his pilot license and returned to flying airplanes.
He was honored to hold the post of Commodore of the Florida Yacht Club and to serve as a trustee at The Bolles School. Steve’s congenial nature will be missed by many.
The goose is now truly on the loose, loose from pain, loose now to flap his heavenly wings among those he healed and those he held dear—most dear of all: his wife, Sharon.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sharon, their two sons and their spouses as well as five grandchildren: Adrienne and Liam Lucie (Craig); Vey, Arden and Everett Lucie (Ryland). Susan Wunder, stepsister of Steve, also survives him.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in honor of Steve to the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, the athletic department of The Bolles School, the athletic department of Jacksonville University, or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading... 
