Richard "Rick" MacArthur

Richard "Rick" MacArthur
June 7, 1946 - May 25, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri - Richard "Rick" Ian MacArthur, M.D., born June 7, 1946, died peacefully on May 25th, in the arms of his loving wife of 32 years and best friend, Barbara. Rick is survived by Barbara, their three sons Jeffrey (Laura), Tim, and Adam, and daughter Amanda, and two granddaughters, Emmy and Addy.
Rick earned his undergraduate, graduate, and medical degrees from The University of Kansas, where he was a member of the TKE fraternity. Rick's blood type was crimson and blue. He loved KU sports of all varieties, not to mention the Royals and the Chiefs. Even though their children are spread across the country, the family made sure to connect many times throughout the games in providing real-time critiques of the teams' performances.
Rick was an Eagle Scout. Those guiding principles of strong ethical values and "being prepared" were core to his character and served him well throughout his life.
Rick had a voracious appetite for information and a desire to see the world from a variety of vantage points. As an undergraduate Anthropology major, the development of man and the universe set a different stage for medical school. As his clinical rotations progressed, Rick knew surgery was his calling. Rick relentlessly pursued knowledge and experiences through the perspective of others throughout his life.
Rick began his professional career at KU, serving as Assistant Professor of Surgery. In 1984, Rick became an Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, where he participated in the development and implementation of the first heart transplant program in the state of Kansas. Via long-standing KU ties, Rick and the family moved to Abilene, Texas in 1992, where he and Barbara established an open-heart surgery program at Hendrick Medical Center.
Knowing the practice of surgery required more than technical expertise, Rick led in exploring systems of care and teamwork that contribute to positive patient outcomes and a sense of satisfaction for the professionals. His peers recognized Rick's commitment and knowledge, and he was elected to medical staff leadership positions. In addition to his KU degrees, Rick completed a master's degree in Medical Management from the University of Texas.
They later moved to Tallahassee, Florida where both Rick and Barbara held executive positions at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Rick expanded his roles in leadership and education, eventually becoming Chief Medical Officer and a Florida State University Medical School faculty member. He utilized poetry and photography as mechanisms to express the myriad of emotions attached to his professional field and to the balance of work and family. Rick published three poetry books and presented several one-man photography exhibits.
Rick and Barbara moved back to Kansas City in 2012–in part so they could be closer to Tim and Adam, who both attended KU. While his clinical practice ended prematurely due to multiple sclerosis, Rick never lost his passion for the art and science of surgery. He continued to serve as a faculty member in the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Surgery. His contributions to medicine spanned over forty years and benefit patients to this day.
Only Rick's love for his family exceeded his love for surgery. He, Barbara, and their children "never got stuck in the whys". He never gave up hope.
A memorial service will be held at The New Reform Temple, 7100 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64114, 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the MacArthur Medical School Scholarship Fund or the Center for Advanced Cardiac Care at The University of Kansas Health System and mailed to Fund Development, 2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 305, Westwood, KS, 66205 or giving.kansashealthsystem.com