Dr Radcliffe J Coyle

February 14, 2022

Dr. Radcliffe John Coyle, MD, Capt. USN (Ret) 20 NOV 1935 – 14 FEB 2022 Radcliffe John Coyle was born November 20, 1935, in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, to Marcelene Denson Coyle and Stewart Robert Coyle. As a young man, he moved to Guadalajara Mexico for his father’s employment, where he became fluent in Spanish and graduated from the Guadalajara Medical University in 1963. He went on to complete his three-year residency at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple Texas. It was in Temple, Texas on January 1, 1967, that he entered Active Duty in the United States Navy and thereafter trained and served in many capacities as an Medical Doctor, including that of a Flight Surgeon; Aerospace Medical Safety Officer; Senior Medical Officer/Flight Surgeon; and Director of Community Health. During his Naval career he served on no less than six aircraft carriers. On Valentine’s Day of 1965, R. J., or “Doc” as he was lovingly called, became engaged to his best friend and love of his life, Victoria Ann Schneider, from Fredericksburg, Texas. While Doc was serving in the Navy, on one aircraft carrier another as an aerospace surgeon and flight surgeon, and traveling to many countries, Vickie was earning more degrees and serving Active Duty Navy in many capacities as a nurse and Specialty Advisor. Though they went their separate ways for a many years, at long last they found each other again and have been inseparable best friends and sweethearts ever since. With both achieving the rank of Navy Captain, and both serving in the health care field, they lived a life together of giving and service, which are qualities they both have in common. It was in 1970, shortly after the death of Doc’s father, Stewart Coyle, that Doc, still engaged to Vickie, rented a home in Lillian for himself and his Mother Marcelene Coyle. They loved it here so much that he bought a building lot next door and built a home. Doc still traveled with the Navy. While he was stationed in California he served as the physician who attended President Ronald Reagan when President Reagan was at his California home, often called the California White House. On the other side of the country, Doc’s sweetheart, Vickie, was serving as Surgical Suite Supervisor to Ronald Regan during one of his surgeries at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Our country is fortunate to have had this talented, accomplished, service-oriented family with special skills and high moral character taking care of President Regan and all our Navy men and women as well as other US military personnel. When Doc retired from the Navy in 1995, he and Vickie chose to remain in Lillian where Doc opened a family medical practice as a family primary care physician. He was and is much loved by his staff and patients alike. He retired from private practice in 2019. Doc loved the outdoors, animals, travel and helping others. There was nothing he loved more than his family, and that was evident to all who knew him. Dr Coyle was a very good, compassionate, and a very giving man who took care of his family faithfully, without fail, and gave of himself to everyone who needed his help. Many people and organizations have been lifted and blessed by his quiet generosity over his lifetime. Though a serious man, he had a very quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor that we all loved and that makes us smile still today. He was very kind and loving of all people regardless of status or rank. Doc’s life was lived as a testimony of service to all. He made this world a better place, no matter where he chose to serve. Vickie says he was a good man, and she was fortunate to have him. He truly was a good man, the best of men. We were all fortunate to have him. As his health failed, Vickie took care of him faithfully and filled his life with love and laughter, being his best buddy, chauffer, and constant, loving caregiver. Doc left this earthly life on Valentine’s Day, fifty-seven years from the day he first proposed to his love, Vickie, who he was always so proud of. It's a simple thing to say, but spoken with deep appreciation and love, “Thank you for your service, Sir.” Dr. Coyle is survived by his wife Victoria Ann Schneider Coyle. Preceding him in death is his mother, Marcelene Denson Coyle; his father, Stewart Robert Coyle; his sister, Marcia F. Coyle; and his brother, Denny Coyle. Funeral Service St. Joseph Catholic Church 34290 US-98, Lillian, AL 36549 Wednesday February 23, 2022 9:00 a.m. Visitation 9:30 a.m. Rosary 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Reception Pallbearers Richard Andrews Bill Workman Mike Cleveland Bill Specht Bet Fonua Interment Doc will be laid to rest in Fredericksburg, TX St. Mary Cemetery (TBA)