Richard L. Christiana, MD - Rochester, MN

Richard Lee Christiana, MD, 87, of Rochester, MN, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Cottagewood Senior Living, where he received care by Seasons Hospice for advanced Parkinson's Disease for the last four months of his life.

Richard (Dick) was born on September 23, 1938, in Johnson City, NY, to Harmon T. and Gertrude E. Christiana. He graduated from high school in Johnson City and began college at Penn State. He transferred to San Jose State University in San Jose, CA, to follow his family when his father was transferred as a plant manager to a new IBM plant in San Jose. Dick spent many summers as a swim instructor and lifeguard. He grew up with a water skiing and snow skiing mother and was on the Ski Patrol at Welch Village after moving to Rochester. He loved outdoors activities, playing tennis and golf, woodworking, and hunting, and he even enjoyed a few years of scuba diving.

He graduated from the University of Utah Medical School in Salt Lake City in 1965, and he completed his internship at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. where he developed an interest in orthopedics. At that time, he was encouraged by several physicians on the St. Mary's staff to apply for a residency in orthopedics at Mayo Clinic.

Following his internship in San Francisco, he was commissioned by the U.S. Navy and reported to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Agana, Guam, where he was on active duty from 1966-1968. Shortly after arriving there, he received his acceptance from Mayo. Before leaving Guam, Dick arranged to do a locum tenens for two months in general medicine with Dale Hawk, MD, in St. Charles, MN, before his orthopedics residency began. He spent over a year in residency, all the while thinking about his general medicine experience in St. Charles.

Dick then had discussions with Hal Wente, MD, about working in Family Medicine at Olmsted Medical Group (OMG). He joined OMG on July 1, 1970, became board certified in Family Medicine, worked in family medicine and occupational medicine, and served as medical director for Seasons Hospice and area nursing homes, until his retirement from medical practice in 2011. He very much enjoyed getting to know his patients, and his patients greatly valued Dr. Christiana as an exceptional and caring physician. He then served as Physician Foundation Associate with OMC Regional Foundation for several years, retiring from Olmsted Medical Center on December 31, 2019, after 49.5 years of service. Dr. Christiana was the longest serving physician in the history of Olmsted Medical Center.

In addition to his service to OMC Regional Foundation, he was an active volunteer and board member for the Rochester Area Y, Seasons Hospice, the Reading Center/Dyslexia Institute of MN, and Calvary Episcopal Church Vestry, and he was the Charter President of Rochester Rotary Risers. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF + 4) with Rotary International. When the Mayo Medical School was formed in 1972, Dr. Christiana was a preceptor for Family Medicine, always wanting to mentor medical students as he had been mentored. He volunteered to see patients at the Salvation Army Free Clinic, and he was a member of the Aerospace Medical Association.

While in college, Dick met the love of his life, Nola Katherine Markey, at a student council activity. They were married on March 26, 1961, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Rafael, CA. Dick and Nola raised two children, Leigh Ann and Michael, and enjoyed time with family. They have been active members at Calvary Episcopal Church for many years.

Dick is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nola; daughter, Leigh Ann Stock (Neil H. Stock) of Savage, MN; granddaughters, Elizabeth C. Stock, MD (Samuel Check), of Dallas, TX; Emily A. Stock, MD, of Baltimore, MD; and Jenna L. Davis (Cole Davis) of Lake Crystal, MN; great grandson, Bowen M. Davis; and a brother, Thomas H. Christiana of Mooresville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harmon and Gertrude Christiana; a brother, Walter Christiana; and his son, Michael Scott Christiana, S.J.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester on Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 AM, with a luncheon reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to OMC Regional Foundation, Seasons Hospice, or Rotary International.

Macken Funeral Home is providing assistance solely with cremation services for the Christiana family. Macken Funeral Home will not be present nor are we overseeing the service. For any inquiries or questions, kindly contact the family directly.