Dr. John Roderick

Dr. John R. Roderick

Dr. John Robert Roderick, 96, of Kirksville, MO, passed away Sunday (July 13, 2014) at Northeast Regional Medical Center. John had been a resident of Twin Pines Adult Care Center since December 2010 where they cared for him deeply.

The son of Dr. John Scott and Bertie (Davis) Roderick, he was born April 13, 1918, in Kirksville, Missouri. His father was originally from La Harpe, IL and was a practicing physician (graduate of the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, MO, 1915) in Hamilton, IL and then in Mason City, IA until his early death in 1927. Since his mother was originally from Kirksville, she returned there with John R in 1927 and enrolled him in Washington School. John graduated from KHS in 1935 and KSTC in 1938 with a BA and BS degree and was also a member of Blue Key Fraternity.

Dr. John R Roderick was enrolled in Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery (KCOS) in 1939 and graduated in 1942 in an accelerated program due to WWII. He was a member of Psi Sigma Alpha Scholastic Honorary Fraternity. During his time in KCOS, he met Ruth Delight Stith of Madison, MO in a dissection lab and they married in August 1940. They were married for 70 years, until her death in 2010.

In October 1942 he went into the Army Air Corps Technical Training Command at Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis, MO, and left after WWII in December 1945. Returning to Kirksville, he was an intern at Laughlin Hospital for a year and then became a House physician for a year, after which he joined staff. He eventually focused on surgery in proctology. In 1949 he opened a private practice office on the east side of the square. He continued to perform surgeries at Laughlin Hospital while also making house calls. He maintained a very busy practice, usually serving his patients 7 days a week.

In 1936 he became a radio amateur, which became a beloved hobby to him, as he kept his active call license for most of the century. He made a lot of his own equipment and was able to communicate with people all over the world. He also thrived on music and said “the planet earth would be like the moon if not for music.” His favorites were the symphonies, Big band music of 1930s and 40s, Goodman, Miller and Dorsey.

Dr. Roderick was known as John R (his favorite name by people who had known him the longest) Johnnie, and Doc. He was noted for his sense of humor, ability to talk to people and his brilliant memory. His passion for being concerned about people and their medical issues stayed with him until the end. John R also had a strong sense of philosophy regarding the impact that the WWII generation had on people and their practical lifestyles. John R joined the First Christian Church in 1930 and was a 3rd of 5 generations member. As many well know, he valued the importance of exercise and felt that his many years of walking contributed to his longevity and good health.

As evident to all, John R was extremely proud of his family. John R is survived by two daughters, Betty Bohon and husband Rick of Columbia, MO and Jeannie Lucas and husband John also of Columbia, MO; 5 grandchildren, Miki and husband Eric Uffman (St. Louis, MO), Tiffany Bohon, and Nate Bohon both of Columbia, MO, Johnny Lucas and wife Beau (Springfield, MO), Brian Lucas of Columbia, MO; 2 great-grandchildren: Luke Uffman (St. Louis, MO) and Renner Lucas(Springfield, MO).

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, daughter Marjorie Roderick Bard, and a twin sister at birth (Marjorie).

Visitation with the family will be from 11:30-1:00pm Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 1:00pm, with Pastor Jim Pitney of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial immediately following in the Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave. Kirksville, MO 63501
www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com

Memorial contributions for the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Kirksville or Andrew Taylor Still University in Kirksville may be left at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.