Longtime Bamberg Physician Ronald Dale Padgett Dies at 72

Dr. Ronald Dale Padgett, M.D., a physician who returned to Bamberg to build a family practice and serve the county for decades, died peacefully at his Johns Island home on February 2, 2026. Padgett’s departure marks the loss of a familiar medical presence for many residents who relied on his care across generations.

Padgett was born June 21, 1953, and raised in Bamberg. He graduated as valedictorian of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School in 1971, completed undergraduate work at The Citadel in 1975, and earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1980. At MUSC he served as class president during both his junior and senior years, a record the alumni community notes reflects early leadership that carried into his professional life.

In 1983 Padgett returned to Bamberg and opened a family medical practice. For more than 40 years he provided primary care to patients across Bamberg and the surrounding communities, building long-term relationships with families and becoming a constant figure at clinics and local health events. Community members described him in obituary materials as a physician whose work was defined by service, leadership, and deep love for family and community, and whose practice prioritized listening and continuity of care.

Padgett was known informally as Dale. He was the son of the late Jack Padgett and Kitty Padgett. Beyond those family details, published obituary excerpts do not list a spouse, children, or other survivors, and no funeral or visitation details were provided at the time the obituary information was posted. The funeral home indicated it will notify the public when service details or additional memories are added and maintains options for sharing the obituary and for sending flowers, planting a tree, or sending a card.

The Citadel Alumni Association lists Padgett as R. Dale Padgett, ’75, and provides contact information for alumni inquiries: mailing address 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29409; Holliday Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave, Charleston, SC 29403; hours Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; phone 843-953-7696. Local readers seeking confirmation of services, survivors, or memorial plans are advised to contact the Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home obituary page or the alumni office for updates.

Padgett’s death will have immediate practical implications for primary care access in Bamberg, particularly for patients with long-standing relationships with his practice. As the community awaits information on memorial arrangements and any successor care plans, residents and local health providers will need to coordinate continuity of care for patients who relied on Padgett’s decades of service.