Richard Shildt

Dr. Richard Shildt, Stone & Mixed Media Cairns

Dr. Shildt was born in Pennsylvania.  His father was in the Air Force so he has lived all over the U.S. He attended the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate and medical school. Richard did his internship, residency and oncology training in an Army teaching hospital.  He then served as active duty in the Army for 13 years and later 15 years in the Reserves. 

Dr. Shildt took care of cancer patients for over 40 years. Twenty four of those years were in private practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Richard retired as a Colonel.  He moved to Pagosa Springs in 2005 with his wife Kitty and also lives part time in Goodyear, Arizona.  

Richard first saw a rock cairn at an art gallery in Durango years ago.  It drew his interest and he thought it would be fun to reproduce.  Initially he made rock cairns for personal enjoyment and gifts. Dr. Shildt spends a great deal of time outdoors and enjoys gathering the rocks he uses in his cairn creations.