Dr. Hugh Robert Bailey
“It is finished and the strong man sleeps” – Christina Rossetti
Hugh Robert Bailey, 62, was born November 20, 1946 to George Ralph and Janet Commeree Bailey of Emporia, Kansas. He graduated from Emporia High School, University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical School. He completed his dermatology residency in Galveston, Texas and relocated to the Kansas City area where he began private practice. He married Dr. Janet E. True and had two children, Dr. Jolie Bailey (Scott Sustek) of San Angelo, Texas and Kelly Bailey (Molly Sherwin) of Elk Grove, California. He later married Mary Barton Peterson and raised two daughters, Shannon Bailey Seal (Matthew Seal) of Matthews, North Carolina and Sarah Bailey (Greg Gavin) of Charlotte, North Carolina. He practiced dermatology in the Kansas City area for more than 31 years. He was past President of the Missouri Dermatological Society, as well as a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Kansas City Dermatological Society, and the American Medical Association.
Hugh was a man of many interests; he was a musician, a garden railroad aficionado, and a lover of antiques, water gardens, genealogy and animals. He was a member of the National Studebaker Club and one of his proudest possessions was his 1947 Studebaker pickup truck. He was an active member of the Kansas City Garden Railroad Society. Hugh and Mary were named Pet Connection Adopters of the Year in 2002. Their home in Overland Park has been a featured stop on tours of garden railway society and water garden society. He was a fan of all KU sports but was a special fan of the KU basketball team, holding season tickets for many years.
Hugh’s patients will attest that he was a kind and caring man and his children and grandchildren will remember him as a loving, witty man, a master of puns and silly rhymes and sometimes really bad jokes. Hugh led the many family sing-alongs with his guitar, often making up his own words to whatever was being sung. He enjoyed his years singing in the choir of the Southridge Presbyterian Church.
Hugh Bailey is survived by his wife, Mary, his four children and his 6 grandchildren: Eiley, Mia, Devyn and Jon Wiley Sustek, and Madelyn and Cora Seal. He is also survived by his three sisters, Joan Bailey, Theresa Bailey (Maryanne Brush) and Marilyn Bailey (David Pratt) and his brother Alan. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Linda.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Pet Connection 5918 Broadmoor Street, Mission, Kansas 66202 or to the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network, www.nbran.org.
Memorial Sevice
There will be a memorial service for Hugh on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 11100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas.
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We will miss Dr. Bailey! He was the BEST skin doctor in the K.C. area!
Mary, Jolie, Kelly, Shannon, Sarah, and families…. My heartfelt condolences to all of you. I know that the Bailey Family clan was a close-knit one, and that all of you share many happy memories….remember those happy memories in the days to come. I know how difficult this is for all of you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Use the strength of your family and draw upon that strength now, when it is greatly needed. I have made donations in Hugh’s memory to the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network, both a Guardian Angel donation and a General fund donation. I am hoping that others will do the same to not only help raise awareness of animal rescue and adoption, but to continue the good work that Hugh and all of you have done up until now. May your hearts and souuls find peace and comfort. With deepest symphathy – Melody Peterson
We first met Hugh June 1975 when he came to help us move into our house in Galveston. He was a real character back then. He kept us in stitches with his jokes, sarcasm and dry humor. We became very close friends and shared a lot of good times over the next 34 years. We didn’t see as much of Hugh over the past few years because both families were busy with activities, kids and grandkids. We kept in touch seeing him at meetings and talking on the phone. It was like we were never apart. I thing that is a sign of a true friendship.
Hugh was a very bright physician. I have always been proud of his accomplishments both in medicine and in his private life. He was devoted to his family and spoke of them often. I was always amazed at how he could have time for his many hobbies and all of his other passionate interests.
We will miss him very much. I know we will see him again one day when we all get to heaven. What a day that will be!
I know that his family is still in shock over his sudden death. Our prayer is that God will comfort you during this difficult time. You are all in our prayers.
With Love,
Peggy, Arlis, David and Angela (I expect Melanie was there to welcome Hugh into heaven)
. .
I have lost the most caring, compassionate, competent and friendly physician I have ever known, who treated my major and minor ailments promptly and thoroughly for more than 20 years.
He was so easy to talk with and we enjoyed sharing many common interests. He “rescued” me from a severe attack of contact dermatitis when nobody else could help. He gave me his e-mail address just before I was leaving on a trip abroad, just in case I needed his help. It was such a privelege to have known him throughout those years. His family is extremely fortunate to have had him among them.