Richard A. Botta MD

Richard A. Botta MD

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Richard A. Botta on March 17, 2023 at the age of 93. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, uncle and grandfather, and he died peacefully at his home in Wyckoff surrounded by his family.

Born June 12, 1929 to Charles and Cornelia Botta in East Harlem, New York, he grew up in New York City and Queens, New York. He attended Flushing High School, the New York Military Academy and the University of Georgia. He finished college in three years and was accepted at Marquette University School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree. He did his medical residency at Flushing Hospital, where he met the love of his life, Patricia (nee Vaupel). They were married on April 7, 1956.

He began his medical career as a resident in Flushing Hospital, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. When duty called, he joined the Navy and served as a physician at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and started a private practice in Allendale, New Jersey in the basement of his home. Dr. Botta was an old-fashioned physician. If a patient had an emergency in the night or was ready to give birth, he would meet the patient at Valley Hospital or go on a house call. He was one of the original physicians on staff at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and delivered over 5,000 babies throughout his career.

While he loved his work and his patients, his true passion was his family. He was a dedicated and loving father to Trish and Chris, and later an adoring grandfather to Nicolas, Daniel and Tyler. He never missed one of Trish’s riding competitions or Chris’ hockey games, and later in retirement was his grandsons’ biggest fans at their games and events. There is nothing he loved better than sitting around the dinner table at the beach, telling stories of his family and career as a physician, and of his many hobbies and interests.

In retirement, he traveled extensively and was involved as a Board Member of the Spring Meadow Condominium Association and Activities Unlimited in Wyckoff. He ran enjoyable trips as Chair of the “Trips and Tours” Club of Activities Unlimited for many years. He served as Eucharistic Minister to the sick and homebound at St. Elizabeth’s Church and delivered communion weekly to residents at the Christian Health Care Center.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia; his daughter, Patricia, and her husband Joseph Dalimonte, of Aquebogue, New York; and son, Christopher, and his wife, Lisa, of Ramsey, New Jersey. He was loved by his three grandchildren, Nicolas Botta, Daniel Botta and Tyler Botta, numerous nieces and nephews, grateful patients, and caring friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother and best friend, Dr. J. Robert Botta.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 23rd from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 24th at 10:00 am at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff. ALL ARE TO MEET AT CHURCH ON FRTIDAY AT 10:00AM Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s name to either the Franciscan Friars who operate the St. Francis Breadline in New York City at www.stfrancisbreadline.org or Several Sources Shelters at www.severalsources.org

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