ROBERT LEON GOOLSBEE M.D.

1931 - 2015

Robert Leon Goolsbee, MD, 84, of Mission Hills, KS, died June 20, 2015 peacefully at his vacation home in Tucson, AZ. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, July 17, 2:00pm at St Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO, where he was a member. Private family burial. Bob was born March 25, 1931, in Port Neches, TX, the son of Katie Block Goolsbee and William Nealand Goolsbee. He was an Eagle Scout and spent multiple summers at Philmont. He graduated from Port Neches High School in 1948, Baylor University in 1951, and earned his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston in 1955 where he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. He met Betty while doing his Internship at Kansas City General Hospital. After they were married he served as a Lieutenant at the US Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL. In 1957 the couple moved to Galveston, TX for his Residency in Anesthesiology. While in Galveston their two daughters were born. The family then settled in Kansas City where Betty and Bob bought their dream home in Mission Hills. While always a supporter of his hometown Texas teams, Bob became an avid Jayhawk fan. Bob was a visionary in the medical field, opening one of the first freestanding outpatient surgery centers in the United States in 1978. Although he practiced anesthesia at multiple locations throughout Kansas City, the best years for him were at his Surgicenter. Dr. Goolsbee was an active member of the Society for the Advancement of Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Care (now FASA) and a founding member of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Jackson County Medical Society, Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. He served on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Kansas City and facilitated the start of their vasectomy clinic. Bob was an avid reader and outdoorsman, sharing his love of books, scuba diving, hunting, fishing, golf and travel with his entire family. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Mission Hills Country Club. He was a true gentleman, his word was his bond, and even in the final stages of Alzheimer's would greet people with a warm smile and a firm handshake. He was known for his generosity and for his calm and loving nature that could soothe any crying child. He is survived by Betty, his wife of nearly 59 years, children Barbara Bollier, MD (Rene) and MaryBeth Jackson; grandchildren Katie Jackson, Athanasiou Geolas, Anne-Marie Bollier, and Bobby Bollier; his sister Roscille Lay, brother Charles Goolsbee (Margaret) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, 4401 W 109th St, Suite 200, Overland Park, KS 66211; Philmont Scout Ranch Health Lodge, 17 Deer Run Rd, Cimarron, NM 87714; or The UMKC Conservatory, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO 64110.