Loren Hugh Rex, DO

LOREN H. “BEAR” REX, D.O. - MEMORIES March 10, 1943 – October 23, 2019 Life was always interesting around Bear. He knew many people of different backgrounds and persuasions and would successfully put them all together at his annual pig barbeque. He had many stories to tell, and we believe most of them to be true. Bear’s life was always about learning new things. His formal education was completed at Lathrop High School, Lathrop, Missouri, 1961; Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman University) BS in Zoology and Chemistry, Kirksville, Missouri, and the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery (now the University of Heath Sciences), Kansas City, Missouri, Doctor of Osteopathy, 1970. EARLY EDUCATION Bear was the youngest of three children; his brother Charlie was 12 years older and Maurice was 8 years older. His earliest education was from his mother, the teacher, who died much too soon when he was only eleven. He then stayed with neighbors in Stewartsville, and one summer ran away from home with his buddy. They signed on to pick cherries in Michigan. Lesson learned: those who did this for a living did not pick one cherry at a time. In 1957 he moved to Lathrop, Missouri, to be with his father, Hugh Rex, and his step-mother, Lola. To hear his stories, you must believe that Lathrop was a totally unique small town (and it may well have been). There was a lot to learn here from the men who hung out at Lola’s Café and from Lincoln Walker (his friend’s grandfather) who kept Loren’s group of friends mostly out of trouble working or playing on the farm. One thing thought up while “hanging out” around Lincoln’s old time regulation pool table was how to combine potash and sugar to make an explosive well known to farmers for its use in blowing up stumps. The Lincoln Gang “experimented” with it on several “projects” including one with a ¾” bore cannon made by a local machinist and a handful of ¾” ball bearings gleaned from the junk pile of a local mechanic. Needless to say, this “experiment” would not go over well today! Bear’s brother Charlie had married into the circus business and in 1959 he called Bear explaining he needed someone to manage the show’s concessions for the summer. Bear’s parents were appalled that he would give up his job at the grocery store, but the gang at Lola’s Café thought it was the chance of a lifetime. Dad Rex relented and, as a long time railroad man, managed to get Bear a train ticket (but no seat) to Kalispell, Montana, where he joined the Famous Cole Show. Bear soon learned the concession business. He spent several seasons with the shows as a “candy butcher”, musician, trapeze performer, fire eater, and the last season in 1964 as a bill poster. He had many stories and great memories of his circus days. In an alternate life he would have stayed with the circus and perhaps taken out a show of his own. However, there were others who were interested in his formal education. PATH TO HIGHER EDUCATION #1 was Bessie Brooks. Bessie was a proud black woman in her seventies who kept house for Lincoln and his wife Mae, before and after Mae’s passing. Bessie held considerable respect and power in the household and most of the time what Bessie said held sway in the daily management of her responsibilities One afternoon while Loren was at the top of a 40’ ladder painting the trim of the Methodist church, Bessie came calmly walking across the street, grabbed the ladder, gave it a shaking (that perhaps made Loren suspect the second coming) and demanded he come down. He did so without delay. Bessie had heard that Loren might not go to college and she was very concerned about him and all the Lincoln Gang. She informed Loren that her “old man” had died and left her with two boys and 50 cents and she saw to it that they both went to college. The “rest of her boys” would do the same. No one of any sense would argue with Bessie, so Loren did not join the military or stay with the circus; he went to college at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. At Northwest, he learned even if you don’t want to be a music major, you should really drop those music classes you don’t like instead of leaving them on your record. (He did graduate with an excellent grade point average, but it was not easy.) After he had changed his major from music to physical education, he became fascinated by a kinesiology class. That sparked his interest in entering the medical field. #2 was Dr. Fred Warren, Lathrop osteopathic physician. Bear consulted Doc Warren and said he would like to become a physical therapist. Doc quickly disavowed him of that idea. If Loren was going into the medical field, he should definitely become a doctor; he would never be happy as a therapist taking orders from a doc. Doc Warren would recommend him to either the medical school at the University of Missouri or either of the two osteopathic colleges in Missouri. Doc offered to help with the finances by providing a trailer to live in while in college. This was quite generous, but with the reality of living in a small travel trailer in the northwest Missouri winter with a pesky sewer line and frozen dog dish on the floor, Bear would soon realize it might be a test of his perseverance for medical school. #3 Dr. John D. Black, pre-med advisor. Bear had transferred to NE Missouri State for their pre-med program. Dr. Black was the key to being accepted to the osteopathic or medical colleges. He liked Bear and helped him get the classes he needed for his undergraduate degree and for acceptance to medical school. He was accepted into the class of 1966 in Kansas City. #4 Dana Sue Pierce Devine. With great luck “Rex” was seated next to “Pierce” for classes at the osteopathic college. Dana had graduated from the University of Missouri in record time and was the youngest member of their class. It seems she was also the brightest. There were many, many nights of study groups with Dana at the hub. Bear always credited her with getting him through medical school. SEATTLE In 1970 Bear moved to Seattle to accept an internship at Waldo General Hospital. Having completed his doctorate degree, he was not through learning. He soon became involved with the Folk Life Society and learned to play bass along with the bluegrass musicians. (Perhaps somewhat ironic since he had no interest in learning ‘string methods’ almost ten years earlier.) He was hoping to play at the Folk Life’s 50th anniversary coming up soon. After internship, he went into general practice for several years, but soon became interested in manual medicine incorporated into the osteopathic philosophy that rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function. He took many courses in muscle energy from Fred Mitchell, DO out of Michigan State as well as other practitioners of osteopathic techniques, and ultimately limited his practice to manual medicine. URSA FOUNDATION The Ursa Foundation was founded in 1976 to conduct courses in manual medicine. Its board members included DO’s, MD’s, physical therapists, physiotherapists, athletic trainers, a chiropractor, teachers, and business people. Students were accepted who were licensed, registered or certified with statutory authority to apply the techniques learned. Ursa philosophy was that the body is a functional unit and should be evaluated as such. Courses were clinically oriented and scientifically based. Courses offered clinicians the opportunity to learn techniques and strategies to achieve a successful manual practice. Ursa courses provided information to help improve the quality of patient care and expedite the rehabilitation of athletes. The Ursa Foundation impacted the lives of many practitioners and patients. Key to its success was Linda Mazzuca. Linda was the executive director of Ursa, his medical practice office manager, counselor, friend, and as Bear described her, “the boss”. More than 5,000 students attended one or more of the 900+ Ursa classes. The largest class was 70 students; the smallest class was one student. More than 30 faculty have served with classes taught in 22 states and ten countries. Bear spent a number of years teaching in Australia and extensive time in Canada. Bear remained president and primary faculty until his retirement and Ursa’s closure in 2015. Ursa’s remaining funds of over $40,000 were donated to the Washington Osteopathic Foundation for use in presenting classes in osteopathic manual medicine. WASHINGTON OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Bear was an active member of WOMA and served three non-consecutive terms as president and several years as a board member of WOMA and WOF (Washington Osteopathic Foundation). Bear and the Ursa Foundation conducted a class for the benefit of WOF for a number of years. For several years he presented unique fundraising events for Osteopac (Washington Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons Political Action Committee). He also enjoyed acting as auctioneer for the annual WOF fundraiser. WOMA recognized Bear’s dedication to the osteopathic profession by bestowing two prestigious awards: Distinguished Life Member and the Warren Lawless Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also very proud of the Founders Award presented by the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation ‘in recognition of a valued commitment to the principles of osteopathic medicine and to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.’ END OF LIFE Bear’s health had been declining for a number of years due to Parkinson’s disease (which he did sometimes admit to, other times did not), heart and kidney disease and diabetes. He was always a terrible hospital patient (well, actually a pretty terrible patient in or out of the hospital). His oft expressed desire was to not die in a hospital, and his wishes were respected. He died at his Acacia home with good friends by his side. Those close to him who knew his medical history did not agree with the official cause of death. Dana Pierce Devine, DO (pathologist) and husband Bill Devine, DO have provided us with this assessment. Cause: Central Nervous System Death (Seizure part of final history) Secondary to : Heart Failure Secondary to : Probable Atrial Fibrilation or Emboli to the kidney.(History of old laceration of the kidney and of renal failure. REMEMBERANCES If you desire to make a charitable donation in Bear’s memory, contributions to either the John D. Black Schoarship Fund (recognition of Bear’s mentor and for the benefit of pre-med students), or the Washington Osteopathic Foundation (the Ursa fund restricted to use for continuing OMM education) would be appreciated. Truman State University Foundation, Dr. John D. Black Scholarship, 205 McClain Hall, 100 E. Norman Avenue, Kirksville, MO 63501. Attention: Marie Murphree, Director of Development, Planned Giving Advancement Washington Osteopathic Foundation, Ursa Fund, PO Box 1187, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Attention: Roseanne Andersen, Executive Director. FRIENDS It would be impossible to list all the people who were important to Bear and all of those whose lives were impacted by him. We hope you will write a message sharing your thoughts and stories of his life. FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO A CELEBRATION OF BEAR’S LIFE A celebration will be held on March 7 at the Nile Country Club in Mountlake Terrace, WA from 4:00 – 10:00pm. This will be the 55th Pig BBQ with barbeque menu, bluegrass music and many stories. “Moses” AKA Cliff Perry will preside over a program of memories and music at 5:00 with dinner served from 6:00 – 8:00. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Contact Linda Mazzuca at [email protected] with the number of people who plan to attend and your telephone number.