Frank E. Emery

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Frank E. Emery, 70, passed away Sunday evening, Nov. 21, 2004, in his home. He was born May 14, 1934, in Wichita, Kansas, the oldest son of Frank A. C. and Nellie Mae (Bloss) Emery.

Frank was a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in Springfield as well as Galveston, Texas. He received both BA and MD degrees from the University of Kansas. He spent two years with the Public Health Service in Washington, D.C. and Galveston. He completed orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1968 before being awarded an Orthopedic Research fellowship in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He was in private practice in Springfield from 1969 to 1973 and was Associate Professor in Orthopedic Surgery in Galveston until 1978 where he developed an interest in-and made contributions to- the field of hand surgery.

Frank's career in medicine transitioned to one in the newspaper business. He was publisher of the Fort Scott (Kansas) Tribune from 1980 until shortly before his death.

He served the broader community with the Kansas Water Authority, Missouri and Arkansas River Basin Association, Governor's Task Force for Public Sector funding (Kansas), and the Kansas Main Street Project.

He was a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, The Kansas Press Association, the Inland Press Association, and Delta Upsilon Fraternity.

Frank enjoyed boating, the outdoors and the companionship of his dogs.

Dr. Emery is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; four sons and their wives, Dr. Frank Michael and Peggy Emery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dr. Mark Watson and Terri Emery, Kingsport, Tenn.; Dr. Timothy Taylor and Cathi Emery, Hendersonville, N.C.; and Dr. Todd Allen and Dr. Michelle Emery, Grand Rapids, Mich,; and their mother Sara Marble Emery; three step-daughters and their husbands, Pamela Kay and Doug Schneider, Edgerton, Kan.; Betsy Lynn and Dave Heitman, Overland Park, Kan.; and Molly Brooke and Jeff Laughlin, Overland Park, Kan.; two brothers and their wives, Thomas Edwin and Debbie Emery, Weatherby Lake, Mo.; and Dennis Lee and Kay Emery, Edmond, Okla.; twenty-two grandchildren, Christopher, Julia and Erin Emery; Rachael, Daniel, Benjamin, Samuel and Isaac Emery; Andrew, Gregory, Emily, Anna, Amy, Abby and Ethan Emery; Justin, David and Stephen Emery; Dylan and Addie Schneider; and Henry and Ann Heitman.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24, in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield,with Dr. Gary D. Stratman officiating. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m., until service time Wednesday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospices of America, 1465 A East Primrose, Springfield, MO 65804.