Richard "Rick" Alexander Sweet M.D.

Richard (Rick) Alexander Sweet, MD, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and surgeon passed away peacefully surrounded by his family following a heroic battle with ALS on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. He was born April 10, 1951 in Ashland, Kentucky, to Mavis Alexander Sweet and WWII veteran, Francis (Dick) William Sweet.

Rick was a graduate of Paul Blazer Ashland High School where he set several swimming records and received a swimming scholarship from University of Kentucky (UK). During his undergraduate years, he broke the UK 200-yard butterfly record at the 1971 SEC Championship. Rick coached the Big Spring Country Club swim team from 1972-74. After three years of undergraduate education, he was accepted into medical school at UK. He continued his orthopedic residency training at University of Louisville, followed by the Otto Aufranc Fellowship training at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA in the field of joint replacement surgery. In 1982, Rick joined the Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic (LOC) for a career that spanned four decades, spending several years as President of LOC. During this time, Rick was the team physician for Ballard High School and Kentucky Country Day.

Rick’s love for sports, especially golf, is recognized by his countless awards, trophies, crystal vases, plaques and videos. His favorite sports ventures occurred at Valhalla Golf Club, KY (1986), Jupiter Hills Golf Club, FL (1996), Colleton River Club, SC (1993), Hurstbourne Country Club, Owl Creek Country Club, and Louisville Boat Club.

Rick’s travels included multiple FamilyMoons, the annual Rick + Girls Shopping Trip with his five favorite girls, many iconic golf excursions including Scotland, Ireland, England, Bandon Dunes, Augusta National, Pine Valley, Shinnecock Hills, Arcadia Bluffs and Whistling Straits. He enjoyed writing, which included two books; How to Play Golf Like a Duck and The Life of Rick Sweet.

Rick is survived by his loving blended family including his soulmate, Barbara Erschell Sweet, son Richard Alexander Sweet II, MD (Amanda), daughters Sam Sweet (Mike Kempton), Jessie Broughton (Taylor) and Jayme Wurtenberger (John), sister Kathy Sweet, nieces Kate Compton and Kelly Shircliff (Adam) and grandchildren Charlotte, Aurora, Amelia, Tucker, August, Bode, Luke and Colton. Visitation will be held at Ratterman Funeral Home (Middletown) Friday, July 19 from 4-7pm, with funeral services the following day at Anchorage Presbyterian Church, Anchorage at 11am. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to a charity of your choice, The ALS Association or The Arthritis Foundation.

Rick leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and uplift those who were fortunate enough to have known him. May he rest in peace.