I was saddened to learn that Richard Bogdan,
DPM, a native of Linden, New Jersey, and a
friend, colleague, educator, author, researcher
and sports medicine pioneer passed away on April
24, 2012 at age 68 in Perth, Western Australia,
after a valiant fight against Mantel Cell
Lymphoma. Richard’s led an illustrious and
exciting life as both an international podiatric
medical educator with a specialty in orthopedics
and sports medicine.
I first met Richard while we were students at
CCPM - he had transferred there in 1970 after
his second year at the former PCPM. He graduated
from CCPM in1972 and went on to complete a two-
year residency at the California Podiatry
Hospital at CCPM, receiving a Masters in Science
diploma in 1974. Richard practiced for a short
while in Concord California before deciding to
reenter the world of education. He taught
Biomechanics at CCPMfrom 1997 until 1983 and
then at OCPM from 1991-1993.
In the interim, he had moved to Australia to
become Senior Tutor, Podiatry Department, Curtin
University of Technology, in Perth. In 1986-
1988, he became the Post Graduate Podiatry
stream Senior Lecturer, and then in 1988, the
Podiatric Biomechanics of Australia Director.
After leaving OCPM and moving back to the West
coast, Richard became the residency director at
North Hollywood Medical Center in 1994. During
this time, Richard authored some landmark papers
as well as a chapter on “Methods for assessing
stress under the Pathologic Forefoot” in the
Textbook of Hallux Valgus and Forefoot Surgery.
In 1997, Richard made a major life decision and
moved back to Australia permanently with his
wife Shelly where he continued his efforts of
teaching. Eventually he went to work for the
Western Australian Government Health Service at
the Sir Charles Gaidner Hospital Podiatry
Service and was a Clinical Senior Lecturer at
the University of Western Australia until his
illness forced him to retire in 2011. Posthumous
Awards will bear witness to Richard’s many
international contributions to podiatric
biomechanics and sports medicine including the
prestigious 2012 Inaugural Presidents AAPSM
award for significant contribution to
Australasian Podiatric Sports Medicine.
Dr. Bogdan is survived by his wife Shelly and
two sons.
Richard Stess, DPM, Mill Valley, CA
