Dr. Robert F. MCCOOL

MCCOOL, CUMMINGS, HIGGINS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/19/2006 at 20:41:57

Dr. Robert F. McCool, 79, of Clarion died Thursday, August 2, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Clarion. A Memorial Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 6, 2001, at St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion. Reverend David Beckman officiated. Robert F. McCool was born at St. Paul, Minnesota on November 26, 1921 to John L. and Rose (Cummings) McCool. He was a graduate of St. Thomas University in St. Paul. He graduated from St. Louis University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri. Robert and Betty (Kitty) Higgins were married August 4, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduation from medical school, Dr. McCool interned in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then spent one and one half years in Japan in the Army. From 1949 to 1951 he practiced in Chillicothe, Missouri, then spent one year as a surgical resident in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. McCool, his wife and three sons moved to Clarion in August, 1952. From 1958 to 1985 he practiced family medicine at the Clarion Clinic. After his retirement from the clinic in 1985, McCool continued his service to mankind by volunteering his services in Third World Countries. He was a physician in the Indian Health Service on a reservation. He and Kitty spent two winters on the Haitian-Dominican Mountain border practicing suitcase medicine. They then spent nine winters at the St. Jude Volunteer Hospital in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. During the past four winters, they worked in Sarasota, Florida at a Seniors and Homeless Shelter. Most recently Dr. McCool established one of the first free Medical Clinics in Iowa, The Clarion Free Clinic. He was a Veteran of World War II where he achieved the rank of Captain. He was a member of the American Legion Post #246 of Clarion, an Honorary member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Lions Club. Dr. Robert F. McCool, in passing, leaves many friends, co-workers, family, and any one who knew him with fond stories and memories of how he touched their lives. He was a man who taught others and led not by words, but by example. Dr. McCool came to Clarion in August 1952 and established his single practice office. In 1958, the Clarion Clinic was opened. This medical practice was formed by a partnership between Dr. McCool, Dr. Robert Eaton, Dr. Richard Young and Dr. Charles Hawkins. Robert McCool is survived by his wife Kitty; five sons, Patrick and wife, Kathryn of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Terrence and wife, Cathy of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Thomas and wife, Lynette of Wausau, Wisconsin, Michael and wife, Diane of Bettendorf and Daniel and wife, Diane of West Des Moines; seven grandchildren and one brother, John C. McCool of Akron, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents. Willim Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials may be sent to the Dr. Robert McCool Memorial Fund at the First Citizen's National Bank in Clarion.

© Wright County Monitor 2001