Richard Oliver Rutland, Jr., MD, a resident of Fayette, Alabama, departed his earthly life on January 12, 2026 at his home of 68 years, at peace with family by his side. Born in Eufaula, Alabama on August 14, 1926, Dr. Rutland is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Thelma Rutland, his wife of 65 years Nancy Babb Rutland, his sister Lucille Rutland Turner and his son Richard O. Rutland, III, MD. He is survived by daughters Cindy McBrearty (Michael McBrearty, MD), and Missy Rutland; daughter-in-law Charlotte Rutland; son Craig Rutland, MD (Mary); grandchildren, Megan Mileski (Chris), Rachel Weaver (Matt), Erin DeLucca (Nate), Heather Price (Tyler), Lee McBrearty (Meredith), Sean McBrearty, MD (Julie), Colin McBrearty (Melanie), Justin White (Veronica), and Barret Cathey; twenty-one great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and colleagues who universally admired him.

A celebration of life service for Dr. Rutland will be held at Fayette First Methodist Church on Saturday, January 17th. Visitation will be at 12:30 with the service beginning at 2:00. Norwood-Wyatt Chapel will be directing the service. Memorials may be made to Fayette First Methodist Church, 412 Temple Avenue North, Fayette, AL 35555 or The Dr. Richard O. Rutland Endowed Award Fund, University of Alabama Advancement Office, P.O. Box 870122, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

Dr. Rutland attended The University of Alabama for just over one year before joining the V-12 Navy College Training Program. He completed his pre-med year at Duke University and attended Tulane School of Medicine, graduating in 1949. During the Korean War (1950-52), he served active duty in the Navy in Key West and in the Pacific Theater. In 1953-54, Dr. Rutland completed his General Practice residency in California and Colorado. He began his medical practice in Fayette in 1954, which included obstetrics and major surgery. He delivered over 1,500 babies and touched many lives through his compassionate care. Later in his practice, he established rural clinics in both Berry and Kennedy, Alabama. Dr. Rutland also began a cardiac rehab program in Fayette County and served as its initial medical advisor. He helped to found the College of Community Health Science at The University of Alabama, and was the initial director of the Family Practice Residency 1973-75. One aspect of his medical career which brought particular joy was serving as a rural medicine preceptor for students (AU & UAB) and residents (UA) for many years. In 1981, Dr. Rutland was chosen Family Doctor of the Year and was featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine. This award was presented in the office of the US Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC. Dr. Rutland made a personal commitment to the elderly population becoming Medical Director of the 122-patient Nursing Home in 1997 as well as later acting director of the Vernon Nursing Home. There he made rounds, attended meetings and gave individual attention to each resident, finding continued fulfillment in providing compassionate care until the age of 82.

Additionally, Dr. Rutland is remembered for his passion for Alabama football, frequently quoting stats from many prior decades, his beloved Tulane Green Wave, his love for his church and church family, serving in many capacities and for his involvement in community activities such as establishing the “clean-up campaign” to address roadside litter on the streets of Fayette. Dr. Rutland’s father built a community pool near their home in Eufaula, giving ample opportunity to develop a love and proficiency for swimming and diving. Soon after he, Nancy and their young family arrived in Fayette, Dr. Rutland established a high school diving team that in due time entered the Alabama State Competition. Dr. Rutland was so proud that one of his student divers, Dean Perkins, won first place in that competition.

Deep gratitude is extended to those who cared for Dr. Rutland with great love, compassion and commitment in his final years and days: Dr. Fred Yerby, Mike Burris, Candi Sudduth, Charlotte Crowley, Robin Slaton, Peggy Stanford, Rebecca Fulmer, Linda Waldrip, Amy McGuff, Megan Pruitt, Brent Higgs, Shelia Cannon, Aerial Walker, and Shauna Thacker of Alabama Hospice Care. Special appreciation also goes to the Fayette Medical Center Home Care.

A man of courage and conviction, Dr. Rutland is widely respected and loved and has contributed for almost 70 years to the betterment of health care for people in Fayette, the state of Alabama, and the country.