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Robert Love McLaurin, MD, JD. of Cincinnati Ohio and St. Simon's Island, died
peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Born January 5, 1922, in Dallas, Texas, he spent
the majority of his professional life in Cincinnati after attending Rice University, Harvard
Medical School, post graduate training in neurosurgery at Harvard and Yale, and service
in the US Army at Walter Reed Hospital during WWII. He married Kathleen Spellman in
1946 and started his family before moving to accept a position at the University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine, a position he maintained for much of his medical career.
He soon headed the Department of Neurosurgery, training many residents, authoring
numerous articles and editing several textbooks on Neurosciences and Neurosurgery a
career in which he helped establish the specialty of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
A great proponent of education throughout his life, he got great pleasure from
contributing generously to many research projects and educational pursuits, particularly
those of his children and grandchildren. And he continued to take on educational
projects of his own, attending Law School while still a practicing surgeon.
In 1982 he married Kathy Stevens Mendez and lived with her in Cincinnati until her
death in 1988.Upon passing the Ohio Bar exam, he became part of the firm of Rendigs,
Fry, Kiely & Dennis, concentrating on defending physicians, hospitals and medicalrelated
issues. In addition to education, his other passion was golf -- a pastime he
pursued at every opportunity and hoped (in vain) that his children might share.
(Fortunately the grandchildren took up the challenge)
In 1990, he married Sally Hall and expanded his family of then 5 children and 7
grandchildren. They travelled extensively as long as possible and hosted many a family
get-together as the number of grandchildren grew. After retiring from surgery and
eventually giving up his law practice, their vacation home in St. Simon's Island became
more and more a seasonal home than a vacation spot. It has been a fond and
welcoming destination for friends and family on travels up and down the coast.
Remaining to cherish his memory are Sally McLaurin, his devoted wife of 26 years, his
children Kathleen Bailey (Bill Cavin), Anne McLaurin (Charles Meeker), Meg McLaurin
(Ralph McDonald), Robert McLaurin, Jr, (Paige) and Hugh McLaurin (Kate), Sally's son,
Jeffrey Hall, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and Mittens and Bootsy.
A private memorial service will be held for family at a later date. In lieu of flowers,
remembrances can be made to the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia, where
he enjoyed volunteering as long as his health permitted; or to Children's Hospital in
Cincinnati to which he dedicated much of his career.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
December 19, 2015
Philip Minella M. D.
I was a resident of Dr McLaurins from 1973-77. I learned much of what I practiced in my 37 year career from him.He was a motivating and inspiring man.He was a father like figure to me.
Much of my professional personality evolved from my time with him.
September 4, 2015
I was one of the first patients of Dr. McLaurin's to have the ventro-jugular shunt placed into my head. I weighed 2 lb.s 10 ozs and Dr, McLaurin, kept me in his care until I was 16 years old. Today, at 51, I am healthy and a very happy woman. Thanks to Dr. McLaurin for all that you have given me, my wonderful life! My thoughts and prayers to his family at this time. Karen Tribby (Hamilton, OH).
June 3, 2015
Diane Babcock, M.D.
Dr McLaurin was Chairman of Neurosurgery here at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati when I came on staff in 1978. Cranial Sonography was in the early stages of development as a modality to image the infant brain. Dr McLaurin recognized the advantages of US (non ionizing radiation, portability to nursery and OR) and supported our efforts to develop and teach others to use the technique. He sent the spina bifida patients in his clinic especially to US for imaging of their hydrocephalus. He invited me to coauthor chapters in neurosurgical books and journals. He was encouraging and supportive of a young pediatric radiologist and her passionate dedication to the development of ultrasound as an imaging modality for children. I am indebted to him for his support early in my career, which lead to 35 years of professional fulfillment happily caring for children.
May 19, 2015
Debbie Sizemore
I met Dr. McLaurin working at Rendigs, Fry, Kiely & Dennis. He was a very intelligent, respectful, and personable man that many of us here were very fond of. I cherish the times that Sharon, Jeanine, Heidi and I had birthday celebrations for him. He was very amazing for a man of his age. I am very saddened for his family because of such an impact and change it will bring in their lives. My very deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Debbie Sizemore
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