Betty LaRue Herndon

Betty LaRue Herndon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Research at UMKC Medical School, passed away quietly at her home with her husband nearby on Monday, August 3, 2015. Betty was born in Monett, Missouri, to Edward and Anna Lola (Higgins) LaRue. The family moved to Grandview, Missouri, where she graduated from high school. She attended Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg, Missouri and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Biology. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Biology/Biochemistry in 1963 from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and completed her education there in 1974, obtaining a Ph.D. in Pharmacology.

She met Richard Herndon during the summer of 1956 while working as a summer secretary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They were united in marriage on September 6, 1958. Together they enjoyed many travels all over the world, some for her research presentations, others just for pleasure. They also enjoyed the opera and traveled the country to attend performances. Besides Richard, the two other loves of her life were her research work and her service to her church. She was a devoted member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Kansas City where she was very active over the years in nearly every aspect of the church: including being a choir member and clerk of the vestry for 24 years. She was most well-known for hosting the weekly receptions that followed the Sunday service. She was also a recipient of the Bishop's Shield, the highest honor given to a lay member of the church for their service and devotion.

Dr. Herndon's professional career began with her Master's thesis and research at the University of Kansas Medical center in 1960. Her long, distinguished and respected career in the medical research field took her from positions at Midwest Research Institute, the Department of Health and Human Services, and, since October 1986, UMKC School of Medicine. She was a collaborator and contributor to many peer-reviewed publications and abstracts as well as assisting with the writing for research grants. In her research lab, the emphasis was on student research and she was a teacher at heart, always interested in helping with their presentations and education.

When away from the laboratory, Betty enjoyed all wildlife and had a great love of nature. She was a woman of many talents and was at home whether working in her flower beds, mowing the yard, or climbing a tree to trim a branch. She loved the outdoors and was always kind to all of God's creatures.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Anna Mae Riddle, Norma Jean Yates, and Dora Robertson. She is survived by her husband, Richard, of the home; sister, Mary Miner and her husband, David, of Grandview, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; along with a host of loving church friends, co-workers, and her feline friends.

There will be a memorial service for Dr. Herndon at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, August 16, 2015, at 1 PM. There will be a visitation prior to the service hosted by the St. Mary's church family beginning at 11:30 AM and there will be time to visit, as well, immediately following the service. Betty will be inurned at St. Mary's. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Mary's Episcopal Church or UMKC School of Medicine-Research Department.