Obituary of Richard Wrenn

Dr. Richard Nickles Wrenn died January 26, 2012. He was born December 17, 1923 in Anderson, South Carolina, the son of Dr. Frank Reece Wrenn and Rosa Helen Nickles Wrenn. He was predeceased by his brother Dr. Frank R. Wrenn, Jr. Dr. Wrenn received his Undergraduate, Medical and Resident training in Orthopedics from Duke University. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Wrenn married Doris Bain of Greensboro in 1949. After making Charlotte their home in 1956, Dr. Wrenn established an independent practice in Orthopedic Medicine. He later joined the Miller Clinic, where he served as President. Upon retiring from the Miller Clinic Dr. Wrenn became the Director of Orthopedic Services for Carolinas Healthcare System. Instrumental in the advancement of Orthopedics, Research and Educational Foundations, Dr. Wrenn initiated a statewide medical care program for High School athletics, one which was emulated nationwide. He introduced the Total Hip Joint Replacement to the Southeast. Dr. Wrenn established Orthopedic Clinics in third world countries including Jordan, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Ecuador. He was a founder of Orthopedics Overseas and World Orthopedic Concern. His contributions to Orthopedic research and education were acknowledged with the highest honor when he was elected to the National American Orthopedic Association. Known and loved by his family as ?Pop?, Dr. Wrenn was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a love of teaching and enjoyed hunting, fishing, painting and golf ?when he had to?! Dr. Wrenn is survived by his wife, Doris; sons, Richard Nickles Wrenn Jr. and his wife, Ruth of Asheville, Ronald Holt Wrenn and his wife, Sally of Charlotte and Edward Reece Wrenn and his wife, Judy of Charleston. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Rick Wrenn III, Guy Wrenn, Jackson Wrenn, Holt Wrenn and his wife, Jennie, Sarah Wrenn, Bain Vaughn and her husband Joel, Abbie Wrenn, Reece Wrenn, Jr. and three great-grandsons Wylder Vaughn, Bo Vaughn and Dewey Wrenn. The family wishes to express their thanks to Dr. Paul Colavita, Dr. Ed Hanley, Dr. Rob Heyer and Dr. Dave Mauerhan for their unwavering dedication to Dr. Wrenn and to the staff at Quail Hollow Club for their kindness through the years. A Memorial Service will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends in Jubilee Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Brooks Laboratory for Back Pain Research, c/o Carolinas Healthcare Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232, Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, or to any area Hospice and Palliative Care.