| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 2009 | |
| Honoree | |
| Richard Chenault, II | |
| Agency | |
| University of Michigan Health System Transplant Team | |
| Agency City | |
| Ann Arbor | |
| Agency State | |
| MI | |
| Last Call | |
| 6/4/07 | |
| Cause of Death | |
| Medical Aviation Accident | |
| Biography | |
| Richard Chenault II, 44, of Ann Arbor, joined the University of Michigan in 1985 as a laboratory assistant for the Department of Pediatrics, later linking with the Transplant Program as a Transplant Donation Specialist. He assisted in the development and implementation of the first modern day organ donation following cardiopulmonary death policy in Michigan. He was known throughout the Health System and larger community as a knowledgeable, compassionate advocate for organ donation.<br /> <br /> Richard was so influential in the transplant arena that in 2005-6 he received the U. S. Department of Health and Services Distinguished Medal of Honor for his efforts to increase organ donation and transplantation at the University of Michigan. He helped U-M achieve an organ donation rate of over 75 percent, establishing the University as one of the leading transplant centers in the nation.<br /> <br /> For 19 years Richard shared his love of sports with hundreds of students he coached in girls' track and cross-country at Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor. On June 2, 2007 they took 2nd place in the state meet, Division III Michigan High School Athletic Association. Two days later Richard was to receive Coach of the Year honors for both girls' track and cross-country, but was tragically killed along with members of the University of Michigan Transplant team aboard the plane carrying donor lungs they had acquired for transplantation. Their plane crashed into Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame.<br /> <br /> Richard was a devoted Christian who loved God and family; tirelessly performing numerous selfless acts of kindness, always finding "the good" in others and was a constant giver of life.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
