Joseph Chester Meek, MD
July 16, 1931 ~ January 30, 2019
Joseph Chester Meek, MD, 87, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 30, 2019. Joseph was born July 16, 1931 to Joseph and Mildred Meek in Sabetha, KS. Preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, John. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bette E. Meek; son, Thomas J. (Deborah) Meek; daughters, Nancy C. (Peter) Leonard, Kathryn A. (Patrick) Thompson; brother, James M. (Cheryl) Meek; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Joseph attended Hiawatha High School and completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas Medical school with honors. While there he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. He served his medical internship at the San Diego County Hospital and his residency and fellowships at KU Medical School and Scripps Clinic LaJolla. He was board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology with an active Endocrinology practice specializing in thyroid disease. Dr. Meek served the country as a Lt. Cmdr. in the United States Navy as a NASA Astronaut Recovery Team doctor. Highly involved in medical teaching, Dr. Meek was a professor and chair of the KUMC department of internal medicine, Vice Chancellor to Academic Affairs, Department Chair of Internal Medicine at KUMC Wichita, and Dean of KUMC Wichita. He also was a delegate to the American Medical Society and the Director of Rural Health Care and Outreach. In his lifetime he earned the University of Kansas Distinguished Service Medallion and served as President of the Kansas Medical Society and President of the Sedgwick County Medical Society. Memorial Service will be at 10:30 am, Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at East Heights United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Dr. Joe Meek Young Physician Leadership Award (www.mssconline.org) or GraceMed Health Clinic (www.gracemed.org). Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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Bette and family – please accept my heartfelt condolences. For those who had the pleasure and honor of knowing Dr. Meek all would quickly agree that he was a true scholar, teacher, healer, leader, advisor – the list could go on and on… But the attribute that most characterizes him in my mind is – gentleman… He was one of the kindest persons Ive ever known. It was a true honor to have known him and learned from him. The lessons he taught so many will live on for many many years.
Tom and family,
My sincere condolences to you and your family with the loss of your father. May all the wonderful memories bring you peace in this time of sorrow. Just seems like yesterday we were high schoolers at SM West and running around in our neighborhood!
I will keep you all in my prayers!
Janet JK Walters King
I worked for Dr. Meek for about 5 years when he was dean of KU Medical School-Wichita. He had a charismatic personality and a great sense of humor. I had been an endocrine patient of his before becoming an employee so had seen his ‘doctor side’ which was very detailed and thorough. He had his hand in many wonderful causes. Even though I havent seen him in a long time, I feel the loss. His family was most important to him. I will be praying for them, especially Betty. I am writing this as I have a conflict in attending the funeral and Im not sure where to send a card. I have very fond memories of both Betty and Dr. Meek.
It was a pleasure to work with Joe on many medical society projects.
Doctor Joseph Meek was one of the nicest doctor one could ever know. He was my doctor in 1993 when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. When it came paying he accepted whatever my insurance paid. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Dr. Meek was my Doctor when I lived in Wichita, He was a compassionate man and listened to his patients. Annie MerriamLawence Kansas.He will be missed.
My condolences to Betty and the rest of the family. When I returned from the Navy for medical residency at KUMC I took over one of the medical services at Wadsworth VA Veterans Hospital after Joe and saw from the medical charts what an excellent doctor Joe was. Then most recently I enjoyed seeing him at Jager Club meetings. Godspeed Joe.
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
“Boatswain… Standby to pipe the side… Shipmates going Ashore…”
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Bette you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. What wonderful memories I have growing up next to Joe and Mildred and the Meek family. Sincerely, Carol Nichols Speidel
Dr Meek was a wonderful, brilliant, and kind physician. As a scared medical student, he showed me the value of having compassion and patience. He made sure he was the one who hooded me during the hooding ceremony, and I still have the wonderful picture and memory. Thank you, Dr Meek, for everything you have done for me, other medical students, residents, and the medical community.
My condolences to Mrs Meek and family. He will be greatly missed.
Joe Meek was instrumental in recruiting me to serve as the Chair of the Hearing and Speech Department at the KU Medical Center – a position I held for 34 years. He was a wonderful physician, administrator, colleague and friend. My deepest sympathies to Bette and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
John Ferraro
It was great working with Joe when he was the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Affable, diplomatic, great sense of humor.
Dr Meek leaves a legacy of professionalism, kindness, warmth and understanding. Practicing in Belleville for 40 years I referred him numerous partients,,,,we remembered each other from medical school and Wesley Hosp. He will be missed!!
Dr. Meek was one of my favorite professors at KUMC. He treated everyone as a colleague, and he taught with humility, humor, and role modeling. He was a wonderful physician and teacher; and he was a genuinely good person. Godspeed.
Dr Meek meant a lot to me. He inspired me and encouraged me many times over the years.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.