RICHMOND, VA - formerly of Williamsburg, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2016. He was born on February 25, in Sandusky, OH, in 1932 to the late Irwin and Kathryn Kent. Also preceding him in death was his cherished wife, Barbara S. Kent. He is survived by his loving children, daughter, Karen Kent Shackelford (Kerry), son, Thomas Grant Kent (Sharra Kelly), daughter, Jennifer Kent Salomonsky (Stephen), and daughter, Laura Kent Merhige (Mark); his grandchildren, Kathryn Shackelford Van Bourgondien, William Shackelford, Rosemary Shackelford, Julia Kent Salter, Theodore Kent, Taylor Kent, David Salomonsky, Erin Salomonsky, Matthew Salomonsky, Madeline Salomonsky, Sayre Merhige, Mark Merhige, Jr., Mariah Merhige, and Alexander Merhige; his great grandchildren, Lula Mae Van Bourgondien, Corinne Shackelford, and Benjamin Salter. After graduating from Wyoming High School in Wyoming, OH, Dick pursued a career in medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Cincinnati, where he stayed to complete his Doctor of Medicine Degree. After his residency at the Children's Hospital at UCLA, Dick joined the US Navy and served at the Naval Hospital in Quantico. Subsequent training and education led Dick and family to Denver and back to Los Angeles before he started his practice in Richmond, VA in 1964. Never one to hold back from pursuing life's passions, in 1969 Dick moved his family to an antebellum home in Charles City County to experience and indulge in the many fruitful lessons of life on the farm. At the same time, Dick became the first anesthesiologist at the Williamsburg Community Hospital, established the Inhalation Therapy department, and shared duties as Chief of Staff. Meanwhile, the children cut massive quantities of grass, honed their vegetable gardening skills and raised horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Dick enjoyed quality time with family and good friends and continued learning. Inspired by his reading, Dick actively pursued history, farming, sailing and woodworking. After retiring from medicine, he served as volunteer at Jamestown and practiced the art of invention. He found great joy in reading to his grandchildren. A lifetime member of the Medical Society of VA, he was also a dedicated member of the German Club of Williamsburg, the Antiques Collectors Guild, Westwood Racquet Club, Ware River Yacht Club and the CW Foundation. Dick will be sorely missed by all who knew him and will be remembered as a man who loved his family and many friends, life itself, medicine, his community, and of course, peanut butter. A celebration of his life will be held at Westover Parish Church in Charles City County on Sunday October 23 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, a small donation to Westover Parish Church ( http://westoverepiscopalchurch.org) or Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Friends of Collections Department in honor of Dr. Richard I. Kent, P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187 would be appreciated.