Richard (Dick) Martin Monihan, beloved husband, loving father, (great) grandfather, physician and surgeon, friend, world traveler, and scholar, passed away quietly at home on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the age of 90.
Born December 1, 1935 in Northeast Philadelphia to Cornelius and Katharine Monihan, Dick was proud of his Catholic education. He attended St. Martin of Tours Elementary School, La Salle High School, and La Salle College, where he later supported an Irish poetry fund. He always spoke fondly of his mentors, Roland Holroyd and Dr. Penny, and he treasured the faith, scholarship, and humble nature that the Christian Brothers brought into his life.
Dick completed his medical training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1961, conducting research on cardiopulmonary bypass at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, during that time. He served his internship at Germantown Hospital in 1962. He then joined the U.S. Navy and served his country proudly from 1962 to 1965 as a General Medical Officer in the Philippines, a place and people he came to love for the rest of his life.
Returning home, he completed a residency in general and plastic surgery from 1965 to 1971 at Pennsylvania Hospital, where he researched the design of pedicle flaps. During those years he also served as Assistant in Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), training under Peter Randall, a renowned mentor in cleft lip and palate surgery. Thanks to this mentor he spent 1971 to 1973 traveling through the islands of Micronesia as a plastic surgery consultant to the Trust Territory of the Pacific and as Instructor in Surgery at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine (1971–72). He performed surgical procedures on islands spread across 4,600 miles in the Pacific Ocean, which created a deep thirst for travel.
In 1973, Dick returned to Philadelphia and Ocean City, and quickly found his sanctuary at his historic home, “Locust Lawn,” on Bargaintown Lake. He selected Atlantic and Cape May counties not only because there had never been a plastic surgeon in the area but also because the region’s rich bird life drew birders from around the world, a fact that intrigued him. Birding became a hobby he embraced with gusto.
He joined Shore Memorial, Atlantic City, Burdette Tomlin, Betty Bacharach, and Children’s Seashore Hospitals in 1973. He founded and was director of the Marjorie Lee Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at Betty Bacharach Hospital, where his “kids” and their families became like family. He thrived on watching them grow up and raise their own families. His practice was centered at Shore Memorial, where he became chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, served for years on its executive committee, and was president of the medical staff in 1986.
Dick’s generosity never failed to amaze. Despite his busy surgical practice, he took part in Mary-Lou’s activities at community churches, Atlantic County Master Gardener events, Family Promise of Cape May, and other organizations. With a deep interest in education, Dick served on the board of the Atlantic City Friends School from 1972 to 1983, and as its president. Dick retired from medicine on his 65th birthday in 2000 to accept the job he wanted most: “working with my wife in her gardens.”
An avid traveler, he was inducted into The Explorers Club of New York. Beyond his extensive travels throughout Canada, the American Southwest, Europe, Ireland, and the British Isles, Dick organized and planned trips to Central Asia in the Soviet Union, following in the footsteps of Genghis Khan; to the Thai/Laotian border, to study Karen tribes and elephant farms; and to the Philippines, China, and Micronesia. His book collection and knowledge of World War I and Antarctica have been described as “scholarly.” There was never enough reading time to satiate his curiosity.
His professional life never surpassed the love and respect he had for his children, grandchildren, and so many of their friends. He was happiest when he could spend quality time with them or live vicariously through their travels. His grandchildren adored their “Papa Doc,” and he delighted in every moment he got to spend with them. Dick and his boys invented their yearly “Bash,” which brought family and friends together each summer, and he loved gathering everyone on Hatteras Island. When mobility issues limited his life, he discovered YouTube travel videos and was happy to follow their adventures around the world.
Dick was a big Philly sports fan–going back to the A’s and Ferris Fain, his favorite player growing up. He shared his love of the Phillies, Flyers, Eagles and 76ers with Brian and Rick, and he loved going to Citizens Bank Park with Mary-Lou and Meg. He was a loyal Phillies Phanatic and took great joy in every game, right up to his final days.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife and friend of almost 60 years, Mary-Lou (Lovett) Monihan; his children, Brian (Maureen), Kirsten, Hilary (Jonathan) and Meg Ann (Timothy); his nine grandchildren, Aaron, Andrew, Tara, Kate, Trey, Jack, Max, George, and Andreas; and one great grandson, Declan. He is predeceased by his beloved son Richard “Rick” Martin Jr. (Shelagh); his parents, Cornelius and Katharine; brothers, Neil and Terrence; and his golden retrievers, Frisco, Molly Maguire, and Beckett.
A visitation will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 5021 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing, NJ, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, October 30th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent de Paul Church would be appreciated.
To share a memory or extend condolences, please visit www.boakesfuneralhome.com
