Dr. Harold King
Dr. Harold King died peacefully on Saturday, August 6, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St Louis. He was 93. He was deeply respected by family, friends, and colleagues for a life defined by intelligence, integrity, and passion.
Harold King was born August 12, 1922 to Harry and Sarah (Miller) King. He was raised in Bedford, Indiana and graduated from Bedford High School in 1940. He earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1943 followed by his medical degree from Yale University in 1946. Harold served as a doctor in the US Army at the Walter Reed General Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland from 1947-1949. It is here where he met his wife of 61 years, Betty Jane Fink. They were married August 30th, 1953 in Marion, Indiana. Betty passed away January 23, 2014.
Harold was a skilled cardiovascular surgeon, specializing in the care of infants and children. After serving in the U.S. Army, Harold began a long and successful surgical career at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, spending much of his time at Riley Hospital for Children. He completed his surgical residency in 1955. Harold went on to hold the positions of surgical instructor, assistant professor and professor of surgery between the years of 1955 and 1964. Harold became the director of Cardio-Thoracic surgery in 1971 and the chairman of the department of Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic surgery in 1975. He held both positions until his retirement in 1990. Harold was a dedicated member of the following organizations: American Medical Association, American Association of Thoracic Surgery, American Surgical Association, Society for Vascular Surgery, and The Society for Thoracic Surgeons. Dr. King’s career reflected a relentless quest to improve hundreds of lives, whether through surgery itself or by the education of future surgeons.
Harold and Betty made family the center of their lives, providing unconditional love to all. For many years, they gathered family together for large holiday celebrations at their beautiful home in Indianapolis. Their children and grandchildren treasure the special memories of travel adventures to the Florida Keys, which he and Betty meticulously planned and executed. Harold and Betty were long-time members of Crooked Stick Golf Club, where they maintained several lasting friendships. Harold was passionate about nature photography, abstract art, and music of almost any kind, but especially jazz. Even in his retirement, his passion for teaching prevailed when he would gather his grandchildren for lessons in vocabulary, golf, and “talks of the future.” One of his favorite expressions was “let’s look it up!” by which he would refer one to his vast library of encyclopedias and dictionaries. He could often be found in his library enjoying a good book. Harold possessed quiet empathy and was deeply thoughtful. He was an enduring and inspiring model.
Survivors include his two children, Ed (Tracey) King of Nashville, Jim (Beth) King of St. Louis; six grandchildren, Kellina (Dane), Chelsea, Alyssa, Mackenzie, Madison and Miles; three great-grandchildren, Robbie, Maisie, and Bennie; one sister, Elizabeth McCready of Austin, TX ; one sister-in-law, Lynne King, of Indianapolis; and 5 nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert, and his wife, Betty.
A small memorial service for immediate family will be held in St. Louis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Harold’s name be made to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
www.cheerguild.org or by mail at:
Riley Cheer Guild
Riley Hospital for Children
705 Riley Hospital Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
I am sorry to read about your father’s passing.
Thirty four years ago our son was born with a rare heart defect. He was near death when we got to Riley and your dad said he would have a 10% chance of making it through surgery. We ask him to please try and save him.
Needless to say he is now an Indianapolis fireman / medic. and a father of two.
Thanks to your dad and the staff at Riley
Kathy Arkins
RIP Dr. King. I have been forever grateful to this man. In 1989 my little 2-1/2 year old daughter was dying from congestive heart failure due to congenital defects. Dr. King patched up and rebuilt her heart, and she has lived a full and happy life. She is married now and expecting her first child. So many other children he saved too. A great man. Condolences to the family.
We became close friends with Harold and Betty through our relationship over golf at Crooked Stick. We missed them when they moved to St Louis. Harold was a regular member of our lunch bunch followed by a round of golf. He was always precise in golf as he was in his medical technique. His friends have missed him. They were a very nice couple and we enjoyed being with them.
Hello,
I wanted your family to know that your dad saved my life (more than one time). I was born with a rare congenital heart defect called Interruppted aortic arch in 1969. I needed heart surgery at age 10 days, and Dr. King told my parents “I think there is a procedure we can do, I have read about it but have not done it or seen it done, but we don’t have any other choice in this situation.”
He performed 3 heart surgeries on me over time, and I am very grateful for his intellect and pioneering spirit!
I am a college professor in a School of Nursing, and I have been told recently that I am one of the oldest (if not the oldest) people in the United States that has survived with this diagnosis.
I am hoping that knowing this about Dr. King may bring you comfort at this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Kenney Malarney
I was sad to see that Dr. King had passed. Now is time for him to reunite with his wife in heaven and enjoy his heavenly home. God bless you Dr. Harold King, I have often thought of you as I grew up and will forever hold you dearly in my thoughts. Because of your devotion and talents in cardio-thoracic surgery I have been blessed to reach adulthood and have a family of my own. I was one of many children that you did open heart surgery on to repair a congenital heart defect. So I want to say thank you.
With great respect
James M Roseman Jr.
Thank you Dr King for performing surgery on my son in 1985 at Riley hospital. Such a humble man with an amazing gift from God to save lives. This boy you saved is now a doctor. My sympathy to your family.
In June, 1972 your father performed surgery on our son Eric Larmore, Eric was born with aortic stenosis, Dr. King repaired his valve and we were told that he would probably have to have a valve replacement in ten to twenty years. I am happy to say our son lived with the repaired valve for 43 years and just this past July had to have an aortic valve. The surgeon in Birmingham, Al said to the family, I don’t know who did your son’s surgery when he was two, but he did an amazing surgery, that allowed our son to marry and raise two beautiful children. Thanks be to God for you Father’s knowledge.
I was so sad to hear about your father’s passing. Dr. King saved by life on June 2, 1971 when he performed open heart surgery to patch a hole in my heart at Riley Hospital. I thought of your father often through the years, always and forever grateful to him. I am glad to have his signature in a scrapbook that my mother made for me during my hospital stay. I am now 52; happy and healthy; and enjoying retirement after a career in Pediatric Nursing. The poem below reminds me of all the lives and hearts he saved through the years. May it provide some comfort. Thank you Dr. King. And my deepest condolences to the family.
Sincerely,
Sheila R. Heal, RN
“Fill Not”
Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow,
but remember me in every tomorrow.
Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,
I’ve only gone to rest a little while.
Although my leaving causes pain and grief,
my going has eased my hurt and given me relief.
So dry your eyes and remember me
not as I am now, but as I use to be.
Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile,
Understand, in your hearts, I’ve only gone to rest a little while.
As long as I have the love of each of you,
I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.
— by Joey Beighley
We met Dr. King in October of 1967 when our daughter was rushed to Riley from Lafayette. He operated when she was 3 days old with the diagnosis of pulmonary atresia and ASD. She survived the first surgery and had 2 additional surgeries later in life. We had moved out of state for her final open heart but came back to Riley so he could do the final repair. Because of his skill, our daughter has lived a full life has 2 incredible daughters.
Our sympathies to the King family on the loss of an incredible man.