02/15/2004
Retired obstetrician
Delivered more than 3,000 babies
Dr. James L. Hickey, an obstetrician who practiced for more than 40 years and helped bring thousands of St. Louisans into the world, died Thursday (Feb. 12, 2004) of a pulmonary embolism at home in Creve Coeur. He was 74.
Dr. Hickey was born in Chicago. His father, the late James J. Hickey, was a city police officer who had immigrated to Chicago from Ireland.
Childhood illnesses exposed young James to the miracles of medicine. Even as a child, he knew he wanted to become a doctor.
After starring on the basketball teams at Jesuit schools in Chicago, he earned a bachelor of science degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.
Dr. Hickey earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1955. Three days after graduation, he married Patricia Lipsmire. They raised nine children.
Dr. Hickey then served two years as an Air Force captain, stationed at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington.
In 1960, Dr. Hickey joined the medical staff at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis. He practiced obstetrics at the hospital for more than 40 years. He delivered more than 3,000 babies, some of whom came back to him as adults so he could deliver the next generation.
Dr. Hickey served his patients at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur until he retired last year. He spent the last years of his career at the JFK Clinic at St. John's, providing health care to women who did not have health insurance.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 530 South Mason Road. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Among the survivors are his wife, Patricia A. Hickey of Creve Coeur; seven sons, Jim Hickey of Dallas, Dennis Hickey of Farmington, Conn., John Hickey of Webster Groves, Bill Hickey of Seattle, Tom Hickey of Brentwood, Patrick Hickey of Madison, Wis., and Robert Hickey of Ithaca, N.Y.; two daughters, Mary Hickey of Webster Groves and Ann Hickey of Los Angeles; a sister, Margaret Hickey of Alexandria, Va.; a brother, William Hickey of Philadelphia; and 15 grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the JFK Clinic, in care of St. John's Mercy Medical Center, 615 South New Ballas Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63141.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
February 15, 2004