Los Angeles
County
Biographies
HOMER B. RICKABAUGH, M. D.
For
more than 35 years Dr. Homer B. Rickabaugh has practiced in Alhambra, and he
has long been accorded a foremost position in his profession and gained the wholehearted
respect of his colleagues.
A
native of Mitchell County, Kansas, Dr. Rickabaugh was born on September 24,
1893, the son of William James and Harriet Elizabeth (Rutherford)
Rickabaugh. His family moved to
California in 1903, locating in San Fernando where Dr. Rickabaugh completed his
grammar school education and graduated from high school. Dr. Rickabaugh then enrolled at Pacific Union
College in Napa County and following this he entered the School of Medical
Evangelists and graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1924.
After
spending a one year internship at Los Angeles County Hospital, Dr. Rickabaugh
came to Alhambra and began his practice with Dr. C. B. Alexander as his first
associate. Two years later Dr.
Rickabaugh and Dr. Alexander, along with Dr. Leland Ellis moved into a new
office located where the present day Alhambra Post Office stands. Then in 1930 he bought the building at 156 S.
Garfield Avenue, which he still uses today.
Dr.
Rickabaugh was a member of the board of directors and one of the principal
owners of Alhambra Hospital from 1927 to 1950, when it was converted to
Alhambra Community Hospital.
Still
a member of the staff at Alhambra Community Hospital, Dr. Rickabaugh is
affiliated with the American, California and Los Angeles County Medical
Associations and belongs to the Oneonta Men’s Club. He is also active in the Alhambra Elks Lodge
and a charter member of the Alhambra Optimist Club.
In
1941 Dr. Rickabaugh was named medical examiner of the Alhambra Selective
Service Board, a position he still holds today; and for his hard work in
connection with the local draft board, he was presented with a 15 year medal
from Washington, D. C., in 1956.
The
doctor is the father of six children, five by his first marriage: Maxon, who served
in the Navy during World War II; Albert, who also served in the Navy; Dr.
Donald, who has been associated with this father for the last 12 years as a
physician; and twin daughters Betty and May, both registered nurses. Dr. Rickabaugh and his present wife, Mrs.
Mildred Rickabaugh, have one son, William.
Dr.
Rickabaugh’s great uncle, Lou Q. Rickabaugh, was one
of the early gamblers of the West and his name is mentioned frequently in the
Wyatt Earp series.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Page 514, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES