Philo Su

Philo Shien Chan Su, MD, 86, of Chesterfield, MO (formerly of Jefferson City, MO), passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday 8/16/2024 at his home. He had excellent care from Barnes Jewish Hospital during his lengthy battle for the past 9 years from liver cancer, then lung cancer, and finally blood cancer. He was born on June 14, 1938 in Kumamoto, Japan though his family was from Taiwan. His family was temporarily living in Japan because his father, Dr. Daniel Su, was a visiting professor at the University in Japan. While there, they survived the World War II atomic bombing of Nagasaki only because their family happened to live on the other side of a huge mountain from Nagasaki. After World War II they returned to their home in Taiwan.
He romantically courted his wife Kwei Lee in Taiwan taking her out on dates on his beloved scooter, & even having a private art gallery dedicated to his then fiancé Kwei Lee. While Kwei was getting her PhD at University of Minnesota, they married in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 10/19/1968. At the same time, Dr. Su received his Obstetrics & Gynecology residency training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Upon graduation from his residency training, Dr. Su, Kwei, their young baby Jennifer & Kwei's mom, the late Chin Lee, moved to Jefferson City, Missouri and joined the Women's Clinic. He worked there between 1974-1979. Then in 1980 he founded his own private practice, Jefferson City Obstetrics & Gynecology, Inc. and was always known by his tender care of his patients and his warm & boisterous "Good Morning!"s.
During his 47-year career as Obstetrician & Gynecologist he delivered over 5000 babies & started the following advancements in the medical care of women:
He started inclusion of husbands into the birthing room(prior to this time, the husbands waited outside in the waiting room), Leboyer Birth (Birth Without Trauma), Delayed umbilical cord clamping after delivery of baby, started using Pfannenstiel skin incision for cesarean sections (prior to this time, all incisions were vertical midline incisions), introduction of Laparoscopy, use of Complimentary transvaginal pelvic ultrasounds at women's annual examinations for the purpose of ovarian cancer screening, use of CO2 laser for treatment of severe pelvic endometriosis & infertility. Use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for menopause, and seeing the patient as a "whole" person.
He would be most known for his praying with his patients and taking the time to take numerous pictures for his patients immediately after delivery. This passion for capturing the most miraculous moment in a couple's life would earn him the fond nickname of "Photo Joe". Before the smart-phone age, he even kept a spare roll of 35mm film in his locker at St. Marys Labor & Delivery floor so he could take an entire roll of pictures for the family. Then he would give the roll of pictures to the family to develop later.
He enjoyed giving free educational classes around the community providing the following free seminars: Self-Breast Examination, Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome, Leboyer Birth, Chi Gong exercise for health.
His hobbies included the following: photography for which he belonged to the Jefferson City Photography Club, golfing, fishing, competitive ballroom dancing, painting & was an avid reader of medical journals always taking notes on new advancements to help his patients. He loved the game of golf and even made a Hole in One at the Jefferson City Country Club on hole #17. He loved dogs ever since he was a young boy and would always snuggle them close to his chest.
Because of Jean Terry, Jennifer's childhood friend, he became a Christian in 1980 and immediately joined First Baptist Church of Jefferson City and is still a member there. Dr. Su loved the Lord and his faith was unshakable. He loved singing and belting out the hymns that were sung in church. He always prayed for people, the world, its leaders, his patients, his family. He always had a special comforting word to say to anyone suffering.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Kwei Lee Su, PhD, their only child, Dr. Jennifer MingPing Su, & wonderful son-in-law Dr. John Lucio(his children: Cydney(Jordan),Vinny, & great-granddaughter, Sloane), 3 sisters (Dr. Gloria (Dr. Shing I.)Yen, Florence (late-Dr.Masao)Yu, & Margaret Su, 2 brothers (Glen Su & Dr. Herbert (Karen)Su), 8 Nieces: Judy Yeend (David, Lucas)), Dr. Annie(Andrew)Yu, Dr. Marissa (Sam) Su, Joy(Michael, Tristan & Landon) Su, Jessica, Bianca, & Vanessa, & 4 nephews(Dr. Esmond (Cindy, Sophie, Mia, Aiden)Yen, Dr. Eugene (Kim, Audrey, Charlotte, Elliott) Yen, Tim Yu (Nathaniel, Matthew).
Friends and family will be received for visitation from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday August 23, 2024 at Houser-Millard Funeral Home with a service under the direction of Pastor Melissa Hatfield at 11:00 am. Private inurnment at Hawthorn Memorial Cemetery to follow.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hillsdale College or First Baptist Church of Jefferson City.
Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 573-636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com