Rusty King

Dr. Robert W. King, Jr., better known as "Rusty", died on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, after a short illness. He was born on August 27, 1946, the son of Dr. Robert W. King, Sr. and Evalyn Lou Lowry King. He was a long-time resident of Oklahoma City, attending Northwest Classen High School, graduating in the class of 1964. He attended Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and the University of Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1971, and completed a Residency in Internal Medicine, also a Fellowship in Nephrology, at the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA. He returned to Oklahoma City where he practiced nephrology at Associates in Internal Medicine at St. Anthony Hospital, the hospital in which he was born, and where he was also Director of Medical Education. He was a volunteer faculty member for the OU School of Medicine and was honored by the medical students by being one of three nominated for the prestigious Aesculapian Award for excellence in teaching. He was very proud the day he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He was instrumental in bringing organ transplants to OKC, and helped develop the UNOS organ distribution system. He was also one of the original founders of LifeShare organ sharing network, which still operates in Oklahoma City. In 1998 he moved to New Orleans, LA, where he worked as a National Medical Director for United Healthcare. He returned to Oklahoma City in 2007, where he focused his skills and talents on those in need. His passion for service included volunteering on the board of the Bridge House recovery center in New Orleans, volunteering his medical services at the Little Flower Clinic in Oklahoma City and numerous other civic activities. From a personal perspective, Rusty was a voracious reader and avid writer of many books including "Lord", "Fishing with John", and the very humorous "Floating Fauna." He was a remarkable historian who delved deeply into tracing his family's genealogy, tracing it back to the beginning of time. He had an immense passion for music, including writing and performing. His music has been immortalized in a recording which in typical humorous fashion he entitled "Live from the Laundry Room". His outdoor passions included golf and fishing, especially in the bayou marsh waters of Lafitte, Louisiana. His sometimes quiet personality was complimented by his astounding intellect, wonderful sense of humor, and unwavering love for others. There was no end to his clever and witty quips. He was often referred to as "The smartest person I have ever met", a true Cowboy, a hero to many, extremely honest with integrity like no other, and he would often use a funny-dry "one-liner" to make a point. He was incredibly deep thinking, but often would make smart decisions in a "blink of an eye." Overall, he will be remembered as a wonderful teacher, mentor, friend, father, and husband. He shared a deeply personal letter with his daughters that conveyed his sentiments on life, including: "Sip the nectar of life - don't gulp it down"…"Treat all people with dignity"…"Form your base values and refuse to compromise them"…"Innovation is born from curiosity"…and "Love is not something you do. Love is something that happens when the environment is ripe. It is like a flower. You cannot make a flower bloom, but you can prevent it from blooming if you don't create the right environment. Above all, love is what makes life good. Love of another person, love of pets, love of family and friends. Always strive to create the right environment for love to blossom and persist. It is good to be loved by others. It is even better to be able to love others. -Dad" He was steadfastly true to his values, which he held in the highest regard. His mantra for life and core values are described excellently in the following quote from the book "Civilization": " I hold a number of beliefs that have been repudiated by the liveliest intellects of our time. I believe that order is better than chaos, creation better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta. On the whole I think that knowledge is preferable to ignorance, and I am sure that human sympathy is more valuable than ideology. I believe that in spite of the recent triumphs of science, men haven't changed much in the last two thousand years; and in consequence we must still try to learn from history. History is ourselves. I also hold one or two beliefs that are more difficult to put shortly. For example, I believe in courtesy, the ritual by which we avoid hurting other people's feelings by satisfying our own egos. And I think we should remember that we are part of a great whole. All living things are our brothers and sisters. Above all, I believe in the God-given genius of certain individuals, and I value a society that makes their existence possible."― Kenneth Clark, Civilisation Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest sister, Lisa King Brashear. Survivors include his wife of almost forty years, Jeanne Ann King, M.D., his daughters, Anna King Clark and her husband Bob Clark, Betsy Lowry King, and Emyay Emily Margaret King. Also surviving are his sisters, Sheryl King Jacobs and her husband Robert, Rebecca Schneider and her husband Kevin Gilliland. Rusty King was a truly amazing husband, Dad, doctor, teacher, writer, fisherman, alligator hunter, he helped so many in their career paths, and was so very proud of "his girls." He will be loved and remembered forever for all the love he gave to those around him in his life. For those who would like to celebrate his life, Memorial Services will be held Monday, December 3rd at 10am at All Souls Episcopal Church at 6400 N Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: • Little Flower Church Clinic o 1125 S. Walker, OKC, OK 73109 405-235-7055 (Voice) Parrish Office 405-235-2037, press 4 • LifeShare Foundation o 4705 NW Expressway • Oklahoma City, OK 73132 (405) 840-5551