Richard Ang Lim, MD, FACS, died on December 25, 2018, in Santa Barbara, the result of complications from a stroke. He was 90 years old.
The oldest of twelve children, Dr. Lim was born to Dr. Luis and Mary Lim in Manila, Philippines on December 27, 1927. Dr. Lim graduated from medical school at the University Santo Tomas in 1952 and married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Young, that same year. The two then travelled to the United States where he completed his internship at Washington University Hospital in St Louis, Missouri. In 1953, he was accepted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he completed both his general as well as cardiothoracic and vascular surgical residencies.
At the Mayo Clinic Dr. Lim was involved in the pioneering efforts by Dr. John Kirklin to perfect the heart lung bypass machine, paving the way for open heart surgery, as well as mastering the coronary artery bypass graft technique as it was developed. After completing his training in 1960, Dr. Lim moved to St. Boniface, Canada. He practiced general and thoracic surgery in Winnipeg and became a member of numerous surgical societies.
In 1966, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California, where Dr. Lim joined the Sansum Clinic and pursued his passion for vascular and cardiovascular surgery at Cottage Hospital. Among his numerous accomplishments, he performed one of the first coronary artery bypass procedures ever done in Santa Barbara. His patients came to him from all over California and from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout his long career, Dr. Lim became a member of the American Medical Association and numerous general, thoracic, and cardiovascular societies, including the prestigious Pacific Coast Surgical Association.
Of all his achievements, Dr. Lim said his greatest was managing to get all nine of his children through college. A passionate traveler, Dr. Lim spent many vacations traveling the four corners of the United States with his wife and nine children in tow. Additionally, he would take Cathy on many trips around the world to attend medical meetings.
Dr. Lim retired from the Sansum Medical Clinic in 1996 and continued to travel with his family, where vacations were spent cruising or exploring global destinations with his children, their spouses and their children.
Early on, his hobbies included collecting stamps and coins, and throughout his life he enjoyed dancing, painting, drawing, horticulture, collecting art and reading about world events and business. An active member of the Granada Theater and the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara, he had a great passion for music, theater and the performing arts. When it came to sports he loved tennis and ping pong. He also enjoyed maintaining connections with his friends and colleagues from his training years at Mayo, as well as from his professional years in Winnipeg and Santa Barbara.
Dr. Richard Lim was preceded in death by his loving wife Catherine and two sons, Eric Paul Lim and Barney Young Lim. He is survived by his children: Alan Lim (Lois); Cindy Pochepan (Jeff); Dennis Lim (Kristin); Francine Lippert (Chris); Gina Renner (Terry); Howard Lim (Stephanie); Irene Hartley (Sharon). He is also survived by his daughter-in-law: Katie Lim; grandchildren: Amber Coronado (Luis); Carol Lim; Allison Page (Alex); Ryan Lim; Alayna Erhart (Matt); Eric Lim; Aaron Clark; Bryan Clark (Colleen); Kristin Clark; Sean Lim; Joie Lim; Alex Lim; Rachel Lippert; Briana Lippert; and Quinn Renner, and by three great grandchildren: Sierra Coronado; Benjamin Coronado; and Charlotte Clark.
Dr. Lim lived a full life adhering to the philosophy of remaining curious, continuously seeking knowledge, and inspiring those around him. All who knew him saw him as brilliant and vital, with a wealth of information at his disposal. He could converse fluently about history, business, life and the ever-changing world. He left those who knew him believing in the simple idea that anything is possible if you work hard for it.
The family wishes to thank the physicians and staff at The Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara, Sansum Medical Clinic, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for their care of Dr. Richard Lim during the last months of his long and fulfilling life.
In lieu of flowers, as an expression of remembrance, please consider a donation to the Sansum Medical Clinic Foundation or Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation.
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Richard A. Lim will be held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive in the Chapel, on Friday, March 8th starting at 11:00 AM, Burial to follow. A Memorial Reception will follow at the Lim Residence in Santa Barbara, at 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
