Randy A. Poncher, 78

Randy Armand Poncher, MD, was born Oct. 22, 1944, in Chicago, Ill. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of July 29, 2023, in Spokane, Wash., with his wife, Carol, by his side. He was 78 years old.

Something of a whiz kid, Randy skipped two grades and advanced to college at an early age. He was still riding his bicycle to high school as a senior because he was too young to drive.

He attended undergraduate college at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and received his doctorate in 1969 from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Following a residency at Children's Memorial Hospital, he worked as a teaching (rather than practicing) pediatrician for over 50 years. Dr. Poncher taught medical students at a variety of hospitals and medical centers over his long career, including Columbus, Mercy, Loyola, Mount Sinai, and University of Illinois in Chicago and Sacred Heart, CHAS, Pacific Northwest University and the University of Washington in Spokane.

“Teaching was the spark of his life,” says Carol, and anyone who knew Randy recognizes the truth of that statement. He loved working with and helping people and dedicated much of his career to serving low-income families in urban areas. He was an avid student who never stopped learning and took pride in helping aspiring doctors solve challenging medical problems. Dr. Poncher received many educational awards, including a Ron Lemire WWAMI Leadership Award from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2008.

Other sparks in his life included his love of international foods, especially Greek, Italian, Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisines; dancing; fishing; telling jokes; collecting and admiring coins; watching U of I basketball; and learning foreign languages. He was happiest when shuffling to live Zydeco music with Carol, eating her homemade moussaka, or fishing for trout until sundown in the wild rivers of Summit County, Colo. He was an avid fan of Sam Cooke, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Dire Straits and the television program "Gunsmoke."

Randy and Carol moved to Spokane from the Chicago suburb of Oak Park in 2004. While they missed the excellent restaurants of Chicagoland, they appreciated the scenery and good weather of the Northwest and enjoyed drives around Lake Coeur d'Alene and playing bridge with friends. A true people person, Randy would strike up a conversation with just about anyone (in whatever language he could) and delighted in making people laugh.

Dr. Poncher is survived by his wife, Carol McCullough, née Coleman; his son, Patrick Poncher, and daughter-in-law Emily; his stepchildren, Matthew and Amy McCullough, and their spouses, Bobbie McCullough and Jimmie Buchanan Jr., respectively; and his former wife, Karen Poncher, née Jahnke. He was preceded in death by his son, David, and daughter Kirsten, as well as Bernard and Harriet, his parents.

Family and friends are invited to remember Randy and pay their respects Thursday, Aug. 10, beginning at 1 p.m., with a Jewish funeral service scheduled for 2 p.m. on the same day. Both will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane (located at 508 N. Government Way), where flowers may be sent. All who knew Randy are welcome and encouraged to attend. He loved a good get-together.