Robert Charles Fairchild

Dr. Robert C. Fairchild, 89, passed away on December 2, 2011. Dr. Fairchild was born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 22, 1921 to Charles Clement Fairchild and Ada Baker Fairchild. He received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from Kansas University. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity, and was awarded the Porter Scholarship. He completed his pediatric residency at K.U. Medical Center. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Fairchild was the first pediatrician in Johnson County, Kansas. He truly cared for and was loved by the children and parents he served. He was in private practice in Mission, Kansas, from 1953 until 1970 at which time he became the Director of Clinics at Children’s Mercy Hospital. While at Children’s Mercy Hospital he served as the chairman of quality assurance and continued to care for children in ambulatory medicine. During his career he served as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and a professor of pediatrics and nursing at the UMKC School of Medicine. In addition to the American Academy of Pediatrics he was a member of the American Medical Association, the Missouri State Medical Society (vice president), Johnson County Medical Society (president), Jackson County Medical Society (president), and Kansas City Southwest Pediatric Society (president). Dr. Fairchild was instrumental in adding fluoride to the water in Johnson County and the founding of Shawnee Mission Hospital. During World War II he served as a U.S. Army Infantry Company Commander in the Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Dr. Fairchild was a long-time member of Village Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon and elder. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clem W. Fairchild, and is survived by a brother, Paul W. Fairchild of Lakeway, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Fairchild; his son Robert W. Fairchild and daughter-in-law Marty, Lawrence, Kansas; his daughter, Nancy L. Vincent and son-in-law, Drexell, San Angelo, Texas; a son, Rex Hartman and daughter-in-law, Carla, Houston, Texas; a son, Dan Hartman and daughter-in-law, Robyn, Overland Park, Kansas; and his 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. The family has lost a kind and loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. The world is a lesser place without him. A memorial service will be held at Village Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Private burial. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to either The Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108; or Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO.