Was medical officer on Lindblad’s Endeavor cruise ship as it traveled around the world
Dr. Richard N. Baney, Sr. passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026. He moved his family to Brevard County, first to Titusville and then to Melbourne in 1976. He was instrumental in attracting Sea Pines Hospital to Melbourne, was a founding director and chairman of Reliance Bank and Bank Brevard, and served as a trustee of Florida Tech for 34 years.
Dr. Richard N. Baney, Sr.: April 13, 1937 – September 14, 2026
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Richard N. Baney, Sr. passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026. Richard was born in Philadelphia, PA, the youngest son of Mary and Emmet Baney.
Richard, or Dick as known to friends and family, grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Central Catholic High School and received a full four-year scholarship to attend Georgetown University, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1958.
Richard earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1963.
Following his internship at the VA Hospital and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a medical officer on the submarines USS Andrew Jackson and USS Kamehameha (and was a plank owner on the latter) and as an active reservist until 1970.
He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh before moving his family to Florida to plant roots in Brevard County, first in Titusville and then Melbourne in 1976.
In Titusville, he served as president of the medical staff at Jess Parrish Hospital and then moved to Melbourne, where he joined Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates (MIMA) and served on the board of directors of Holmes Hospital.
Richard left practice in 1999 and phased into retirement, spending ten years as a medical officer on Lindblad’s Endeavor cruise ship as it traveled around the world.
Richard was very active in community affairs. He was instrumental in attracting Sea Pines Hospital to Melbourne, was a founding director and chairman of Reliance Bank and Bank Brevard, and served as a trustee of Florida Tech for 34 years.
His other leadership roles include serving as President of the Brevard County Medical Society, serving on the boards of DBA Systems, Opto-Mechanik, and Suntree Country Club, and serving as Commodore of the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.
Richard had a great appreciation of U.S. and world history and collected antique maps and classic movie posters. He also enjoyed numerous European bicycling trips and golf trips to Ireland. He had a life goal of achieving a single-digit golf handicap (full disclosure: he never got close). Richard ran his first of three marathons at the age of 52.
Richard was predeceased by his wife and the love of his life, Carolyn. They met at the University of Pittsburgh when he was a medical student and she was a lab technician, and they were married for 62 years.
He is survived by his four children – Richard Baney, Jr. (Anne), Michael Baney (Nancy), Marisa Baney Jensen (Jeff), Brian Baney (Bonnie) – nine grandchildren and former daughter-in-law Holly Baney.
Family and friends attended a visitation and funeral service on Friday, September 18, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic.
We want to express our immense gratitude to Victoria Landing and William Childs Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to your favorite charity in Richard’s memory.
