Dr. Richard A. Horvitz

Richard Andrew Horvitz, 80, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Richard was born in Newton, MA on November 17, 1944, the son of Harold and Beatrice (Gerstein) Horvitz. Richard grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Harvard College in 1966. He earned a Master's degree in biochemistry in 1968, followed by a Degree of Medicine in 1972, both from the University of Washington.

Richard met Anne Accardo, his wife of over 45 years, while completing a residency program in New Haven, CT. Coincidentally, Anne may have set eyes on her future husband over a decade earlier; Richard was a clarinetist in the Harvard University Band that she enjoyed watching as a Harvard graduate student at the time. They married in 1977, after Richard answered a "blind box" ad for a job in a "desirable Midwestern city" that would take them to Grand Rapids. There, Richard worked as a clinical pathologist for 39 years at Spectrum Health (previously Butterworth Hospital) until his retirement in 2016. In 2017, Richard was honored with the Distinguished Physician Society Award, which recognizes physicians who have made extraordinary contributions to Spectrum Health and its patients and families.

Richard and Anne cherished the companionship of many beloved pets. They enjoyed showing their Samoyed dogs and traveling to events all over the country, even succeeding in getting some of their dogs into Westminster shows. Richard liked to recount how he narrowly avoided making his own debut at Madison Square Garden at one such event. Anne planned to show their Samoyed, but their group was called to the floor just after she stepped out for water. To Richard's relief, Anne returned just as officials ordered him to put on an armband and line up! Richard and Anne also took pleasure in traveling internationally and sharing accounts of their adventures.

Richard spent the last years of his retirement enjoying the company of friends and family, continuing to travel, reading, and attending emeritus education programs. For many years he ran 10K and 5K races, and he still enjoyed swimming at the YMCA and running on neighborhood streets. Richard was active with the Mensa Society and the Grand Rapids Rotary Club. He recently moved to the Clark Community and looked forward to meeting his fellow residents.

Richard was predeceased in death by his wife, Anne; his parents; and his brother, David Horvitz. He is survived by his older brother, John Horvitz of New York, NY (wife Sandra); first cousins Alan Gerstein and Nancy Gerstein Cooper; sisters-in-law Theresa (Accardo) Sloane and Arlene (Accardo) LaMere; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Richard will be laid to rest with Anne at St. Peter's Cemetery in Torrington, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

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