Dr. Robert John Kingsbury

Robert John Kingsbury (Bob) was born September 15, 1934, in Saginaw, Michigan. He was the son of Arlie and Nellie Kingsbury and the older brother of three sisters whom he loved dearly: Mary Ann, Marlene, and Vesta. Their affectionate nickname for him was "Precious." He attended Fresher Elementary and Arthur Hill High School. During high school, he enjoyed playing the saxophone in a jazz band, as well as being the drum major for the marching band. At 17 he had a life-altering encounter at Revival Meetings where he received Jesus Christ as his personal savior. His relationship with Christ set the course for his life. He was often heard saying "The Lord has every fiber of my being." After graduation from high school in 1952, he went to Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He majored in Chemistry and Biology. He participated in various activities: business manager for the yearbook, singing in Glee Club, student body Vice President, and playing basketball. He might add that he enjoyed "chasing Carolyn." He met Carolyn Reeder at Asbury during his junior year and knew "she was the one for him." They both had a passion to serve the Lord in overseas missions. They were married four days after he graduated from Asbury College in June 1956. Bob went on to the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During this time, Bob and Carolyn started their family with the birth of their eldest daughter Mary Beth. After graduation, he went to Gorgas Hospital in Panama, Canal Zone for his internship and continued there for three years as a resident in surgery. Bob and Carolyn welcomed their daughters Rebecca Lynn and Bonny Kay during these years. While there, he went on mission trips to various tribes, going down the Branco River in a dugout canoe to hold clinics. After finishing his training in Panama, Bob, with his family of five, went to serve as a medical missionary at Ganta United Methodist Mission in Liberia, Africa. Their family continued to grow during their years in Liberia with the birth of their sons Robert Denton (Bob) and John William (Bill). In addition to bringing physical healing to the people of Liberia, Bob also shared his ultimate hope in Christ. When he was not working at Ganta Mission Hospital, he would treat patients at the Ganta Leprosy Colony and do some teaching at the mission nursing school. In the midst of their terms as missionaries in Liberia, Bob and Carolyn came back to the U.S. for a couple of years. He passed his boards in general surgery and was the chief resident at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University Medical School for a year. In 1973 they moved back to the U.S., although the people of Liberia always held a special place in their lives and hearts. Bob joined a well-known surgical practice, Benrus, in St. Charles, Missouri. He was a well-respected doctor within the community-not only for his expertise but also his compassionate bedside manner. He was one of the first doctors in the area to do laparoscopic surgery. Bob was also very active in Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA). He served as the National President of CMDA, as well as a board member of the International CMDA, which created many opportunities to serve in various countries. It was common for Bob and Carolyn to have a house full of medical students at their home. It brought him joy to encourage these students to walk in all that God had for their lives. Bob also served on the board of Asbury College and was always grateful for the significant impact Asbury played in his life. One of those significant moments that guided his life was in a chapel with E. Stanley Jones' sermon "Jesus is Lord. In 1999 he retired from surgery and pursued further training in Palliative Care. He was one of the charter founders in establishing Hospice in the United States and later served as Director of Hospice for the Sisters of St. Mary's in St. Louis. Also, in his "retirement" he started Volunteers in Medicine, a clinic for people who couldn't afford health care and retired physicians donated their time to patients. Some of his hobbies were tennis, model airplanes, fishing and always planning his next adventure. His greatest legacy was his family. Bob dearly loved his wife, Carolyn, and found great joy and pride watching their family multiply. He was blessed with five children and their spouses: Mary Beth and Chuck Schwagel, Rebecca and Steve Gatton, Bonny and Ron Thiesen, Bob and Michelle Kingsbury, Bill and Beth Kingsbury. His 16 grandchildren and their spouses are Hudson Gatton, Hannah and Kyle Meinke, Hunter Gatton, Jessica Thiesen, Nicole Thiesen, Joshua Thiesen, Charissa Thiesen, Noah and Mariah Kingsbury, Zane and Alexandra Kingsbury, Aidan Kingsbury, Max Kingsbury, Paul Kingsbury, Sarah Kingsbury, Abigail Kingsbury, William Ezekiel Kingsbury, Esther Kingsbury and his one great-grandson, Colson Kingsbury. Bob wore his "Grandpas Fishing Buddies" sweatshirt proudly and his face always lit up when he was with his family. He encouraged each one through his example and his prayers to love and follow Christ. In his last years, he would say "The best is yet to come." On October 11, 2021, he entered into his eternal home. Memorial Gifts can be sent to: Christian Medical & Dental Associations PO Box 7500 Bristol, TN 37621 Please designate your memorial gift to the: Bob Kingsbury Memorial Fund Link to memorial service live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojYdtA3uhYI

Tributes

Dr. Robert John Kingsbury

September 15, 1934 - October 11, 2021

Tributes

Dr. Robert John Kingsbury

September 15, 1934 - October 11, 2021

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