Robert Barry Adams M.D.

Robert Barry Adams, M.D. (Bob), 85, of Montgomery, AL, expired June 7, 2014 in his home surrounded by his loving family. A native of Birmingham, AL, Dr. Adams received B.S. degrees in both Biology and Chemistry from Birmingham Southern College and graduated from the Medical College of Alabama in 1956. Following graduation from medical school, he did a rotating internship at Lloyd Nolan Hospital, Fairfield, AL in 1956-57. His training in Pathology consisted of a residency at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN from 1957-59 and a two-year residency while in the United States Army stationed in the Fourth U.S. Army Medical Laboratory in San Antonio, TX. Upon being discharged from the Army he returned to the Pathology Department at the Medical College of Alabama in Birmingham from 1961-64. His tenure on the faculty began as an instructor in Pathology first as Assistant Director of Anatomic Pathology and then as Associate Director of Surgical Pathology. In 1964 he moved to Montgomery, AL as the first Pathologist of the new Montgomery Baptist Hospital and established the departments of Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Department of Nuclear Medicine and the School of Medical Technology. In 1979, Dr. Adams became the Medical Director of the Department of Pathology at St. Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery and concurrently served as the Medical Director of the newly established University Hospital in East Montgomery. In 1965 and in 1972 respectively he established the Adams and Bridger Pathology Laboratory and the Alabama Reference Laboratory the latter of which subsequently came under the ownership of Laboratory Corporation of America. In 1991 he established a second School of Medical Technology at the Alabama Reference Laboratory. Community services included being a member of the American Red Cross Board of the Montgomery Chapter since 1964, Member of the Board of Trustees, Judson College since 1978, and was a recipient of the Algenon-Sydney-Sullivan Award. He served on the Foundation Board of the Montgomery Baptist Medical Center and the Advisory Board of Auburn University Montgomery. His most significant professional achievements consist of establishing two Schools of Medical Technology in Alabama with graduates spread all over the world and The Robert B. Adams Foundation to support the advancement and enhancement of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. He is a member of First Baptist Church Montgomery where he served as a deacon and on the Church's Foundation Board. Bob was a very kind, loving man with a giving heart, dedicated to his family and patients. His smile was contagious and he brought laughter to those around him. He was preceded in death by his parents Irving and Winnie Adams, three brothers James, Lamar and Ray Adams and sister, Cuba Holden. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Jean Adams, his daughter Jeanmarie Sandy of Ocala, FL, his son Barry Adams of Montgomery, AL, his six grandchildren Ashley, April, Alex and Austin Adams, Kameron and Chandler Sandy and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church Montgomery with a memorial service celebrating his life following at 1:00 PM. Drs. Dale Huff and Jay Wolf will be officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Bruce Alexander, Mr. Greg Alford, Dr. John Ashurst, Dr. Jeff Barksdale, Dr. Mike Bridger, Dr. David Franco, Mr. Tom Gilliland, Mr. Kyle Johnson, Judge Hugh Maddox, Dr. Wick Many, Dr. Paul Moore, Dr. Kyle Taylor, Mr. Bob Runkle and members of the FBC Poundstone Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Medical Outreach, First Baptist Church Foundation, or charity of your choice.