Robert E. Adams

Robert E. Adams, 85, Mission, KS, passed away August 28, 2004, after an extended illness. Private graveside and burial will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2004, at Country Club United Methodist Church, 57th and Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Robert E. Adams Scholarship Fund at The Research Foundation, 2316 East Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64132 or the charity of your choice. Mr. Adams was born June 18, 1919 in Lincoln, NE, the son of George and Anna Framstead Adams. He attended the Lincoln public schools and graduated from the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Delta Upsilon social fraternity. On June 14, 1952, he was married in Nevada, MO to Suzanne Love, daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Walter Standlee Love. Following college, Mr. Adams entered the military where he served in the European Theatre during World War II. He remained active in the Military Reserves for the remainder of his 30 year military career, ultimately reaching the rank of Major General. A highlight of his military career was President Truman's request that he act as his military aide. Mr. Adams proudly served President and Mrs. Truman from the time they returned to Independence until Mrs. Truman's death in 1982. In 1950 Mr. Adams came to Kansas City as the Assistant Administrator of Research Medical Center. Two years later he was appointed Executive Director of the hospital where he remained for the remainder of his business career. From the day he started at the old facility on hospital hill, he had a vision to build a new medical center that would bring the highest quality health care possible to the people of Kansas City. In 1955, the first step toward his vision was taken when the sign "Tomorrow's Hospital Today" was erected on the future site of the new Research Hospital and Medical Center at Meyer Blvd. and Prospect. With construction of the new hospital underway, he also realized the need for a structural business management system that did not exist in hospital administration models of the time. In response to this need, he established separate departments for personnel, public relations and community development. In addition, he created the first Research budget and the first set of organized bylaws. Patient care being his number one concern, it was under his direction and with the support of a superb medical staff and board of directors that Research pioneered in such areas as open heart surgery, kidney dialysis, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedics, and obstetrics. After eight years of fundraising and oversight of the construction project, his vision became reality on August 11, 1963 when the new Research Hospital and Medical Center was dedicated and patients were moved from hospital hill to the new facility. Even though the medical center was complete, construction on the campus continued with the development of the student nurses' residence and apartment village, a covered parking garage, a second physicians office building, and eventually the new north wing of the medical center. During the years Mr. Adams led Research, it became a model for modern hospital design attracting national and international visitors to help them in planning their new hospitals. Despite his passionate dedication to Research Hospital, Bob never lost sight of his responsibility to the community. In 1957, he was elected Chairman of the Kansas City Area Hospital Association Administrative Council, and was reelected the following year. He also served as President of The Missouri Hospital Association and in 1980 received their Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor they bestow upon individuals in health care administration. At the hospital, he was the first non-physician to receive the Medical Staff Distinguished Service Award and in 1981 became the first recipient of the Robert E. Adams Award, which was named in his honor and currently awards scholarships for nursing students. When Mr. Adams was not at the hospital, his favorite location was their home on Star Island in Cass Lake, MN where he enjoyed the summers with his family and long-time friends. Mr. Adams was a 50-year member of The Country Club United Methodist Church, The Indian Hills Country Club, and a former member of The Kansas City Club. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Love Adams of the home; a daughter, Mary Ann Adams of Carrollton, TX and a son, Robert Standlee Adams of Kansas City, MO. In addition, he is survived by his wife's niece and nephews, Mary Love Guthrie and her husband, Lee of Nevada, MO, Joseph Walter Wachtel and his wife, Suzanne of Kansas City, MO, and Richard Edward Wachtel and his wife, Sally of Olathe, KS. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Medical Lodge of Butler for the compassionate care they provided Bob during his final illness. (Arrangements: Muehlebach Funeral Home (816) 444-2060)