Alzheimer’s & Dementia in Our Community

Introductory note– The Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit organization focused on
education, support, and funding of many national and international research projects. As
volunteers, we are sharing our personal stories and medical understanding of this
difficult disease to provide valuable education and support services
to our community.

Bio – Rich Phillips
Born in Brooklyn NY, he lived in New York and New Jersey until completing high school.
Rich started college in Texas. He served two years in the U.S. Army, including one year
in Vietnam. Next, he married his Texas sweetheart and returned to college. He
graduated with a degree in Forestry. Then he worked for nine years for Weyerhaeuser
Co. Southern Forestry Research Center doing reforestation and environmental science
projects. He left there to work and attend graduate school at New Mexico State
University. He spent 27 years at NMSU as a project manager in reforestation training,
horticulture research, and agribusiness development. His work included domestic and
international projects. He has been married for 53 years to Linda Phillips, he has three
married children and seven beautiful grandchildren, all here in the Denver area. His
wife Linda has Alzheimer’s disease.

Bio–Richard Ratigan
I am from Montana. After graduating from University of Montana, I attended the
University of Utah School of Medicine. Over the years I practiced as a family physician
and later focused on geriatrics. I have been retired for several years.
I am married with three grown children and seven grandchildren. I enjoy woodworking
and many outdoor activities, especially bird watching and beekeepin