Dr. Richard Paul Valuck

Dr. Richard Paul Valuck, formerly of Kirksville, Missouri passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 4, 2025 at Legacy Senior Living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During his final days he was surrounded by his loving family.

Burial will be at a private Christian graveside service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville. Pastor Travis Curtman will officiate. A memorial service will be held later for family and friends at First Baptist Church in Kirksville on November 15, with visitation at 10 am prior to the service. Pastor Jason Marlin will officiate. Arrangements are being made by the Playle-RimerMillard Family Funeral Chapel.

Richard was born in Muskegon, Michigan on June 30, 1933 to George Paul Valuck and Katherine (Krc) Valuck, both immigrants from Slovakia. He was the youngest of seven children in the family. 

He was married to Mary Jane Novinger on October 6, 1957 at First Baptist Church in Kirksville. She preceded him in death on October 3, 2024. Also preceding him in death were his parents and his six siblings and their spouses, Katherine Bergman (Bob), George Valuck (Rosemary), Anne Frankovich (Albert), Martin Valuck (Jean), Samuel Valuck (Dorothy) and Mildred Minarovic (John).

 Surviving him are his three sons, Dr. Richard Paul Valuck, Jr. (Dr. Jennifer) of Hannibal, Missouri, Dr. Jonathan Eric Valuck (Louise) of Scottsdale, Arizona and Dr. Thomas Brenton Valuck of Essex, Maryland. Other survivors are his four granddaughters, Katherine Marie Fuller (Michael) of Hannibal, Missouri, Grace Elizabeth Strube (Dr. Levi) of Hannibal, Missouri, Mary Louise Valuck and fiancé Robert Sutherland of Dallas, Texas, and Caroline Elizabeth Hudson (Samuel) of Dallas, Texas. Also surviving are five great grandchildren, Kinsley Marie Fuller, Emery Thomas Fuller, Jesse Paul Strube, Joni Marie Strube, and Jennifer Beth Strube, all of Hannibal, Missouri, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. 

“Dick” graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1951 where he starred in basketball and golf. He graduated from Muskegon Community College in 1953, then followed his brother, Sam to Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He met Mary Jane while he was a student at KCOM and they were married after his graduation in 1957. They moved to Muskegon for Dick’s internship, and then back to Kirksville the next year where he practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Laughlin Hospital and Valuck Clinic until his retirement in 1996. He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing his compassionate care and dedication to his profession at the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons annual convention in 1997. 

Dick’s lifelong hobby was golf and he could often be found at Kirksville Country Club honing his skills. Dick was the youngest of the “Golfing Valuck Brothers” of Muskegon. At one time or another, he and his three brothers each won the Greater Muskegon Open Golf Championship, a truly remarkable family feat. He passed the game down to his boys, teaching them that “Life is like golf…you have to keep it down the middle and stay out of the rough!” 

Dick was a great teacher and believed that education provides one with greater opportunity. His sons followed in his footsteps becoming physicians themselves. In addition he worked with many KCOM students on their paths to becoming healthcare professionals. Many of those students stayed in touch with him over the years and expressed their gratitude for his mentorship and friendship. 

Most importantly, Dick was a Christian and a devoted husband and father. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Kirksville, and served there as a deacon for many years. Dick and Jane loved handing their faith down to their children and granddaughters, to whom he was affectionately known as “Grandaddy”. He encouraged each of them to find her gift and to work hard to be successful and to honor God along the way. The family owes special appreciation to the staffs of Legacy Senior Living, Trinity Hospice, and Senior Helpers, especially Dave Lesher and Steven Udomiaye. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Kirksville or ATSU-KCOM.