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ROBERT LEON GOOLSBEE M.D.

1931 - 2015

ROBERT LEON GOOLSBEE M.D. obituary, 1931-2015, Kansas City, MO

BORN

1931

DIED

2015

ROBERT GOOLSBEE Obituary

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.

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Published by Kansas City Star on Jun. 28, 2015.

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thinking of you all...

Mina Steen

July 3, 2015

My heart goes out to you all. I know Bob was an accomplished man and his life story bears witness to how great an individual he was. He always struck me as a gentle man, whose greatest joy and pride were his beloved wife and daughters and grandchildren. It was a life well-lived for certain. Lance and I are thinking of you all!

Pastor Henry Alfred Goolsbee Abp.

June 29, 2015

This great man, Robert Leon Goolsbee, a Voice of Reason and of Compassionate Spirit, will be sorely missed by friends and family alike. A friend to all who, following in the footsteps of his ancestor's pioneering spirit, blazed a trail in ethical, loving medical practice; one that has resulted in a boon to all humanity. We will benefit immeasurably, for generations to come, from his introduction to both, our communities and to the world of medicine globally, the concept and implementation of outpatient surgical centers. I will always remember him for his generosity, wise words, kind eyes and gentle loving hand. Bob, you live on forever in the minds and hearts and spirits of all those whom you have helped... even those who may never know your name or face. As Mamaw Katie, your mother, once told me, "I am a part of you and you are a part me, because we are family. We are all alive in one another in one way or another." Live forever Uncle Bob! Through me, with us, by us and for us. We are One in the Spirit. We are One in the Lord. Father to some, Grandfather to many and friend to all, you will live-on in our hearts for all eternity. Peace be with you Uncle Bob; and with your family and friends. If we cry, let us cry tears of joy for all the goodness and happy days that you brought to us all. ~ Pastor Henry Alfred Goolsbee Abp.

June 28, 2015

A strong man, enormously accomplished, universally respected, a true visionary who confounded the doctrinaire doubters much to my amusement and admiration. I felt Bob and I had a special bond. We, you lost a giant.
In sorrow for your, our loss, John Singleton

June 28, 2015

Doctors Barbara & Rene, Anne-Marie & Bob,

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

The Carter Family:

Dr. Bruce A. Carter
Brandon, Allison, & Kayden Carter
Gregory, Amanda, & Carter Nelson
Doctors Christopher & Amy Carter
Andrew Carter
Penny Carter Skelton
Douglas Skelton & Vickie Hastings

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Jul

17

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

St Paul's Episcopal Church

Kansas City,, MO

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