A walk-through history paves the road to retirement for Doctor Robert Shemwell (92), Podiatrist and Hospital Board Chairman, after an astounding 68 years of service in healthcare and enthusiastic member of the local community.
Dr. Shemwell began his career in healthcare as a podiatrist after graduating from Baker University in Baldwin City, Ks. and completing his education at the College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Once his education was complete, he began as an associate working alongside Doctor Stanley Rowe in Independence, Mo., treating the renowned Harry S. Truman and his wife, Bess Truman, in 1958 before opening his first clinic, located on Spring Street in Excelsior Springs as a part of the McCleary hospital.
As a podiatrist, Dr. Shemwell would diagnose and treat conditions affecting patients’ feet, ankles, and lower extremities, including injuries, pain, skin problems, foot deformities, and mobility issues. While working alongside Dr. Stanley, he recalled meeting the Trumans two to three times a week and ensuring Harry and Bess’s circulation and pulse were up to par. After Dr. Stanley Rowe’s passing in the 1970s, Dr. Shemwell assumed the Trumans’ podiatry care, while maintaining his clinic in Excelsior Springs.
Dr. Shemwell would house calls all around the area to treat his patients. Yet, according to Dr. Shemwell, the most memorable were always his experiences with the Trumans. He recalled treating them at their home and seeing Harry’s wife, Bess, reading mystery novels as secret security sat watching right across the street from their home.
Dr. Shemwell recalled his own encounter with the Secret Service on one occasion when meeting the Trumans. One evening, an alarm went off as he walked up the old wooden steps to the Truman home. Before he knew it, the Secret Service grabbed him and spun him around before realizing who he was. Once the realization set in that it was only Dr. Shemwell, they all shared a laugh and let him go inside.
Shemwell said he can still vividly remember the Trumans’ home, stating it was anything but modern. It was plastered with flowery wallpaper and wooden drain boards attached to the sink. He said he would walk through the kitchen to the east side of the home and see Bess waiting for him, reading a book ready for her appointment.
Although he saw them often, he never shared a meal with the late president or his wife. Nor had he ever asked to take a picture with them because he was “just their physician.” Yet, over the years of treating them, he kept some of their signed checks and even received small gifts from the Trumans during the holidays.
Hands down, Dr. Shemwell said, during his time of treating the Trumans as their podiatrist, that “they were the most genuine people he had ever met.”
Back in Excelsior Springs, Dr. Shemwell’s practice grew quickly, and by the early 1990s, he had 8 office locations in the Kansas City area. Shemwell always considered Excelsior Springs his home, and throughout the years, he made countless friends, gave back to the community, and eventually joined the hospital board.
His many friendships included Jesse Hall, currently the Project Manager at the Excelsior Springs Community Center. Jesse mentioned that Dr. Shemwell and his wife, Patty, were huge supporters of not only healthcare initiatives but also the community as a whole; they especially loved to contribute to the Excelsior Springs School District.
Jesse noted that the Shemwells often hosted fundraising events at their luxurious home to support the community. Yet, some of Jesse’s favorite memories are the quiet moments spent listening to Dr. Shemwell’s “priceless stories” of his time in the community and the rich history he shared.
Others in the community, including Kevin Morgan and Mary Lou Greim, recall Dr. Shemwell giving back in other ways beyond health care, including him being one of the earliest members on the board of the Good Samaritan Center since its inception in 1986. In addition, both Patty and Dr. Shemwell purchased the first van for food donations to be picked up and distributed throughout Excelsior Springs. Kevin said, in short, that Dr. Shemwell has “always been driven and active within Excelsior.” Mary noted that their encouragement and involvement aided the Good Samaritan Center immensely, and she remains “grateful for their help and kindness” within the community.
Community members, such as Kevin Morgan and Mary Lou Greim, fondly remember Dr. Shemwell’s contributions beyond healthcare. He was one of the earliest members of the Good Samaritan Center’s board when it was established in 1986. Both Dr. Shemwell and Patty also purchased the center’s first van to help collect and distribute food donations throughout Excelsior Springs. Kevin describes Dr. Shemwell as someone who has “always been driven and active within Excelsior.” Mary highlighted the Shemwells’ encouragement and involvement, noting that it significantly benefited the Good Samaritan Center, and she remains “grateful for their kindness and support.”
Dr. Shemwell joined the Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Executive Board in 2004 and served for more than 20 years before his retirement in September. He believed the hospital was the “community’s salvation” and championed the importance of local healthcare. Even in retirement, Dr. Shemwell wishes he could continue serving on the board and remain involved with the Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Shemwell and Patty have continued to give back to the community, showing their love and kindness through generous donations, including two statues already in place at local parks, with one more on the way. The new statue that has already been donated will be situated at Carolyn Schutte Park in downtown Excelsior Springs for the community to enjoy and remember the wonderful acts of kindness dedicated to his hometown.
Dr. Shemwell has donated three bronze statues to the community. The turtle is at Century Park, and the children with geese is at the Community Center. A third statue of a little girl was recently installed in Carolyn Schutte Park downtown (photos Courtney Cole).
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