Ed Redard, MD.

"Your wings were ready but our hearts were not" Our loving brother, doctor, and caring friend, Ed Redard MD passed from this world and entered eternal life on Thursday March 10th, 2016, at the age of 55. His sudden departure has bruised the hearts of his family, his beloved soulmate Mary, and patients who will miss his smiling face, beaming personality, and sage wisdom. Doctor Redard grew up in Ventura California as the youngest of four wonderful children. He adored and cherished his brothers, Mike and Steve, and his sister, Cheryl. Ed received his Doctor of Medicine from the UC Davis School of Medicine in 1987. As a family physician for more than 27 years, Doctor Redard will always be remembered for the individual care and consideration he extended to his patients. He treated each patient with respect, offering them his full attention. He took the time to really listen to what was bothering them. In doing so, he showed his patients that they have inherent worth. He helped them recognize the impact emotions can have on physical health and taught them to be mindful of taking care of their own emotional state. He offered his patients a shoulder to cry on and encouraged them to heal themselves with self-help books, articles, and counseling, before prescribing medications. He rarely wore a white doctor's coat or a tie, preferring a more casual, but still very professional look which also put his patients at ease. If he had it his way, he would have worn shorts to the office. Work: Ed was a remarkable educator with a passionate curiosity. He appreciated the insights and innovation of Einstein, Joseph Campbell, Richard Bandler, Anthony Robbins, and Steve Jobs (just to name a few). The world of science was exciting to him and he enjoyed watching TV shows like Brain Games, How it Works, and Nova. He savored listening to NPR and "99% Invisible", a podcast about the thought that goes into the things we don't (typically) think about. As the co-founder of Personality Lingo, Dr. Redard embarked on the hero's journey to uncover a person's unconscious beliefs and how to align these to influence health and disease. By melding the fields of Jungian Typology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Ericksonian Hypnotic Therapies, and Behavioral Psychology he was able to teach others the importance of self-knowledge and help them shift their perceptions and behaviors toward healthier habits and lives. He wrote books, training programs, and articles about human nature and personality. 24/7 doctor: Whether at work, home or play, he always ran full throttle. Besides being doctor by day, as well as by night when he was on call for his patients, doctor Redard made himself available to family and friends when they needed his medical advice or reassuring mental health guidance. In addition to "doctoring", he was a fabulously incredible webmaster (evenings and weekends). He researched, coded, maintained and updated several websites for the Personality Lingo community he co-founded with his beloved partner in life and business, Mary. In recent months, he would repeat a mantra inspired by a gift from his stepdaughter, Crescentia—a license plate frame that said, "To go faster you must slow down." When he was gearing up for the next marketing campaign, instructional video or product launch, he would coach himself by saying, "I am slowing down to speed up." Personal activities: Ed enjoyed searching the Internet, listening to music, exercising, cooking, dancing, family reunions, laughing, playing basketball and magic. Ed was blissfully enchanted with music. He played the tuba in his junior high marching band and had the ears to hear the individual rhythms of instruments in all kinds of music. He was especially captivated by melodies and songs that brought him on an auditory joyride. Quite frequently he would roll up his sleeve to display the goosebumps on his arm, saying, "Look, that chord change gives me the chills every time." Ed loved animals, from the dog he rescued from the pound, to the stray cats that followed him home when he found them crying on the banks of the levy. Even after those pets passed, he couldn't resist stopping to pet any dog that crossed his path. An avid exerciser, Ed rarely missed a workout. He frequented the gym, jogging trail, treadmill, stair-stepper, and dance floor. Even if he felt a cold coming on, he would want to "blow out the cobwebs" by working up a sweat. Ed loved to cook. During his teen years he eagerly helped his mother with her catering business. Throughout subsequent years he would have cooking contests with his brothers and theme events on New Year's Eve sharing recipes and tips for cooking such as Moroccan night, Greek, Italian, or one of his favorites- Thai food. Family reunions were a tradition his mother started and the family carried on. Ed was always excitedly counting down the days, even months before each one. He would swim with the kids, play tag, and do magic tricks. His interest in magic started as a child. He would collect cereal box tops to save up enough to get a magic trick. At one point he bought an old brown briefcase to keep his magic illusions together in one treasure trove of fun. His mother was often his "beautiful" assistant as he would entertain his family and neighbors with his magic shows. He would haul that suitcase full of rings, scarves, cards, and other props to family reunions where he would delight and amaze his nieces and nephews to awes and giggles. Speaking of magic, the Internet was a magical portal that Ed used to transport his mind and ever-pondering thoughts to where he had access to the boundless information available at his fingertips. When something intrigued him, he would search the Net to find the information behind the information- to infinity and beyond! You could ask him a question and it seemed he knew something about nearly everything. Ed rarely missed returning an email, especially to his lifelong friend Russ who he originally shared an office with back in the early years of working for Mercy Medical Group. Ed and Russ shared a unique witty repartee. They enjoyed wordplay and inane puns – the kind of clever satire that makes you chuckle remembering it hours later. Ed enjoyed dancing where he knew the steps such as East Coast Swing and the Argentine Tango—and he was an incredible, strong, centered, joyful partner. He was also known to break out in dance to celebrate the triumphs of his patients with the classic "Cabbage Patch." Bouncing his shoulders and smiling broadly in jubilation as he circled his arms, he called it his "Happy Dance". Ed was one of those rare individuals who dared to be his authentic self, open his heart, and bring out the best in others. In his late 40s as part of his contemplative practices, he took up "moving meditation," a more free-form style of dancing which combined his proficiency in formal dance with more improvisational moves. With his unique dance, bubbly spirit and his irresistible smile, he brought delight and adoration that was contagious on the dance floor. Many of Ed's friends affectionately called him "Go-to Guy" – it was a nickname, an honor, and a reality that he enjoyed and wore well. He truly was the person to go to for help with anything- from an extra flashlight battery or zip tie to help with your homework, figuring out which herbal supplement to take for what ails you, or even a supportive hug. With his big heart and compassionate listening ears, Ed was an extraordinary communication "translator." Even if a person was spewing with negative aggression, Ed could detect the sadness, guilt, frustration, or fear behind the hostility and would offer a compassionate, sincere, often calming response. Sweetheart Mary: Ed was a big-hearted, tender, caring, dedicated romantic. He loved being in love, feeling loved and sharing love with his beloved sweet Mary. Over the 20 years of life they shared together, he kept every love note, card, decoration, and sticky message she ever wrote—and there were plenty! They unabashedly and excitedly showed their love for each other by always holding hands and speaking affectionately to each other. They were known at the gym, local grocery store, favorite restaurants, and even in work communities as the "love birds". An entire wall of Ed's private office at work was covered with "Ed and Mary" memorabilia of events they attended, photos taken together and endearing love notes. These two love birds enchanted onlookers everywhere they went, lifting spirits and offering hope yet for humankind. Their love lifted them up to the highest heights as a reflection of his eternal spirit. Family: The love and acceptance received from his parents and siblings cultivated Ed's natural-born sincere character. Ed cherished the love of his sister, Cheryl, who was unwavering in her adoration for him. It was obvious to all that Cheryl was diligent in safeguarding her dear brother from harm, always wanting the best for him. Ed's eldest brother, Steve, inspired Ed to walk the road less traveled. Ed described Steve as the "James Dean" of the family, ever so cool, handsome and independent—standing up for what he believed in despite what anyone else thought. Ed's love for Steve was boundless and inexhaustible. Ed idolized his closest-in-age brother, Mike. If Mike played basketball, Ed wanted to play, if Mike listened to a certain kind of music, Ed did too. From sharing recipes and the latest exercise routines, to emotional support though illness and disease—Mike and Ed shared an everlasting deep love and kinship for each other. His spirit is carried on in the hearts of his soulmate and "love of his life" Mary, his sister Cheryl and her husband Rich, his brother Steve and wife Cathy; brother Mike and his wife Betty, his cousins Jennie and Sandie, his nieces Dana, Kinsey, Brianna, and Vivian; nephews Matthew and David; his step-daughter, Crescentia; and by the multitude of lives he touched as a physician and a friend. All are invited to celebrate and remember the life of Doctor Ed Redard in a public memorial service to be held on Saturday April 2nd at 1:00pm at the East Lawn Andrews & Greilich Mortuary Chapel 3939 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820. Funeral Home: Andrews & Greilich Mortuary 3939 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA US 95820