It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing away of our Americas Grand Priory Deputy Grand Prior and Grand Hospitaller, Hon. Col. Chev. Richard Clinchy, HOKC, GCStG, GOStG, MMStG, Ph.D., EMT-P.
Dr. Clinchy had over 55 years prehospital emergency care experience. Starting as a firefighter in New York State, his EMS career took him to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the US Virgin Islands, Louisiana, and then Florida. He had the pleasure of sharing EMS education and experiences with providers on every continent of the world other than Antarctica.
Teaching EMS for Doc started in 1970. He worked as an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, flight medic, hyperbaric technologist, and public safety officer, as well as both a part-time and full-time EMS educator. Later, as CEO of Emergency Medical Resources, LLC, he was a consultant to and representative for a variety of tactical and emergency care equipment manufacturers as well as being involved with the US military. His company was also an ASHI Training Center and could issue certifications from the most basic first aid course up to and including Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
While a volunteer with the Coast Guard, Dr. Clinchy was an instructor-trainer for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, teaching at the USCG Training Centers in Petaluma, California, and Yorktown, Virginia. Clinchy was an awareness-level instructor for several DHS/FEMA courses on the subject of terrorist and suicide bombing.
He served as Training Officer, Planning Team Leader, and a paramedic with Florida One Disaster Medical Assistance Team, part of the National Disaster Medical System, and the Florida One State Medical Response Team. He responded to hurricanes, the Super Bowl, many fires during his time as a professional firefighter, was part of the medical response to Ground Zero following 9-11, as well as treating thousands of individuals who were sick or injured during the course of his career.
Doc was chairman of the board of the Coalition for Tactical Medicine, a board member of the National EMS Museum Foundation, secretary and trustee of The Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition, and secretary and board member of Florida One DMAT, Inc.. Widely published in EMS periodicals, Doc was also the author of instructional texts on SCUBA, author of the emergency medical care chapter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Diving Manual, and author of Dive First Responder as well as the creator of a course bearing the same name. The 2nd edition of his book, Dive First Responder was published in 2016.
Dr. Clinchy was a US Navy veteran, Fellow of the Explorers Club, Life Member of the Navy League, Instructor Emeritus of the National Association of Underwater Instructors, member of the National Association of EMS Physicians, member of the Wilderness Medical Society, member of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, life member and former board member of the Special Operations Medical Association, life member of The Camp Fire Club of America, a Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a Knight Chevalier of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Knights Templar) and Grand Hospitaller and Deputy Grand Prior for the Order of St. George in the Americas, recipient of the prestigious Medal of Merit.
As Grand Hospitaller, Doc solicited donations of medical supplies worth millions for refugees and displaced populations worldwide.
Honors and awards include: Defense of Liberty Medal from NY State for services rendered at Ground Zero; National Defense Service Medal; Stephen Frew National Leadership Award from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians in 1988; and was the national EMT Instructor-Coordinator of the Year as recognized by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians in 1989; Eagle Scout, BSA; Vigil Honor – Order of the Arrow, BSA; Honorable Kentucky Colonel; and Knight Grand Cross Order of St George and holder of the Medal of Merit.
Hon. Col. Chev. Richard A. Clinchy, III, GCStG, GOStG, MMStG, Ph.D., EMT-P
15 May 1943 – 3 September 2024
May he rest in peace
