“font-family: Verdana; line-height: 13px;”>Dr. Robert A. Edwards died June, 23, 2011 at Decatur Memorial Hospital after a long illness. He was 80.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Dr. Edwards was raised in St. Louis after his family migrated from Marianna, Ark. where he was born. He attended St. Louis public schools and graduated from Vashon High School in the late 1940s. He was a graduate of Kentucky State College and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 during the Korean War where he served as a medic. He later attended Meharry Medical School. After earning a degree in dentistry, he established practices in St. Louis, Alton and Gary, Indiana, over a career lasting 46 years.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> Joyce, and four daughters to Edwardsville.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Members of his family mourn his death and applaud him for committing his life to making the world a better place for his family and for generations to follow. On civic and political fronts, his many endeavors included organizing efforts to help poor and minority communities claim their right to quality medical services.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In the 1960s, he was among the leaders of a movement to create a community health center in East St. Louis and The St. Louis Comprehensive Neighborhood Health Center, which became a model for community health centers nationwide. He fought for legislation to create educational and economic opportunities for minorities, helping them gain enrollment in medical and dental schools and have greater participation in acquiring government contracts. At one point, he served as president of the Mound City Dental Association.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Dr. Edwards also was instrumental in assisting in the development of plans to build a Black History Museum on the East St. Louis riverfront. Though his plans never came to fruition, the idea was one of the first of its kind for the city.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>He helped set precedents and model strategies that have allowed disenfranchised communities to benefit from government resources and services that they were generally deprived of in 1960’s. Dr. Edwards was commended by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for his work which forged the way to the passage of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. In addition, his work and influence in Washington led to reforms in legislation covering bank credit policies, which was unheard of before his actions forced changes in the laws.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Family members said Dr. Edwards was a worthy adversary and an unheralded force fighting for justice and human rights.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> but persevered to do what was right.