Dr. Robert Banks

Robert E Banks, MD, died March 14, 2015, at the University of Kansas Medical Center surrounded by his family. Bob was born March 21, 1929, to Mary Driskill Banks and Earl Wesley Banks in Kansas City, MO. Shortly after the family moved to La Cygne, KS, where he was educated and graduated from La Cygne High School in 1947. Continuing his education at KU, he received a Bachelor"s Degree in 1951 and his medical degree in 1955. He immediately joined the Navy and spent a year at the San Diego Naval Hospital and was then deployed to Pearl Harbor Dispensary. After his discharge, he came to Paola and started his practice of medicine with Dr. Veril Elson. He continued practicing for 41 years. In 1972 he passed the boards to become a Certified Specialist Family Practice. He was proud to have his son Don Banks, MD, return to Paola and join him in practice for 10 years. On August 6, 1950, he married Shirley Smith from the New Lancaster community. To them were born four sons, Robert Emory (Jenifer) Topeka, KS; Lawrence Earl (Jeanine) Spring, TX; Donald Edward (Stacy) Paola; Gregory Eldon (DeAnn) Paola. They have eleven grandchildren, Susan Banks, Falmouth, Massachusetts; Karlsson Banks, New York City, NY; Connie Beaver (Blake), Kevin, Calvin, Spring, TX; Allison Sanders (Joe) Koenigstein, Germany; Brad, Kansas City, KS; Alicia Goetting (Justin) Lawrence, KS; Michael, Warrenton,Virginia; Emma and Sarah, Paola; and two great-granddaughters Katelyn Sanders and Claire Beaver. His family was important to him and he encouraged them to read and learn. He spent many hours attending sporting events, concerts and plays watching his family. He was a member of the Paola United Methodist Church. He sang in the choir for many years and taught Sunday school classes. His present Sunday school class has been together for more than 40 years and he looked forward to seeing what interesting discussions would come up on Sunday morning. They were like a second family to him. He was a member of Paola Rotary, the Cultural Board, Baehr Foundation Board, Continuing Education committee at the KU Medical Center. He was elected to the Unified District #368 Board of Education for 10 years. He was a member of the Miami County Medical Society and served as President. He was Chief of Staff at the Miami County Hospital from 1962-2000, Board of Directors of Miami County Medical Center for 13 years and served on the Advisory Board of the Osawatomie State Hospital. He was a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and the Kansas Academy of Family Practice from 1958-2015. Bob knew he wanted to be a doctor from an early age and thoroughly enjoyed practicing medicine in Paola. Interactions with his patients and the community made him happy. He hosted many University of Kansas medical students for a month-long preceptorship to give them experience in family practice. He enjoyed contributing to the education of new, young doctors. Bob served as coroner for Miami County for much of his career. To practice their driving skills, his sons would drive him on house calls and coroner calls; even the calls in the middle of the night. He had curiosity about everything and read voraciously on many subjects. He was particularly interested in science and religion and collected a large library of books on those subjects. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Richard and George. He will be missed by his family and numerous friends. The family suggests memorials to USD #368 Endowment Scholarship in care of Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 305 N Pearl St, Paola, KS 66071. To leave a special memory or to leave condolence to the family of Robert please go to share memory tab. Paola United Methodist Church Service: Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 10:00 AM Visitation: Friday, March 20, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM