Larry Glen Rooks, MD's Obituary
Larry, not Lawrence - his parents named him Larry - passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024, during one of his favorite activities, napping. Larry loved to take naps. He had a recliner in his office, (actually in a couple of his offices), for that very purpose. Larry often spoke with his family that he wanted to “go like his grandfather” who passed away in his easy chair during a nap. Larry did just that.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, at Alachua General Hospital, (the same hospital where he completed his Family Medicine Residency), he spent most of his childhood in Gainesville, Fort White, and Jacksonville, Fl.
As a child he had many interests, namely, talking to people, snakes, lizards, catching salamanders, messing around in the lake near his house, playing music, singing and having fun.
Larry fondly recalled the time he spent at church, the Florida Methodist Youth Camp, Dupont High School and Florida Southern College which all played significant roles in his development. He cherished the experiences and the life-long friends he made.
He married Patty Linville during his college years and they settled in Boston, MA in the late 1960’s. Larry enrolled at Boston University with the goal of becoming a minister. Living in Boston exposed Larry to a much bigger world than he knew growing up in North Central Florida. With new ideas and a fresh perspective, Larry took a leave of absence from BU and settled on a new life path, becoming a physician.
Larry graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed a Family Medicine Residency where he, no surprise, made many more life-long friends. During this period, single again, he met and married Venita (Nini) Sposetti. They were married for 44 years.
He was a beloved teacher and physician, touching the lives of thousands of students and patients over his career. He joined the UF College of Medicine faculty in 1982. His passions were rural medicine and medical education, and he distinguished himself as one of the most creative educators in the college's history. He conceived of and initiated two centerpieces of the curriculum, the Preceptorships medical students complete during their first two years and the Collaborative Learning Groups which now extend across all four years.
Larry received a number of awards during his career, including the Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award for his curricular contributions and the Florida Family Physician Educator of the Year Award. His kind, gentle sense of humor lightened the hearts of many and his “Stickbite” talk is remembered fondly by hundreds of students. He served on numerous college committees, chairing the Curriculum Committee for many years. His blend of passion, insight and humor led a colleague to note “Any committee meeting with Larry there is a good meeting.” He was also a leader in the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and served on national committees of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Larry loved his rural patients, first at Cross City, Florida’s Family Medical Practice, then at the UF Health Family Medicine – Old Town clinic, where he noted it was kind of fun to become an expert on things you don't see in the city every day, like stingray stings and removing fishhooks from almost every part of one’s anatomy. He often joked that someday he hoped to open the Rooks Clinic and Bait Shop. He was also a passionate supporter of the college's international service trips. He led multiple 4th year medical student trips to Nicaragua, where he is remembered for his compassion, organizational ability, care, and teaching. He also found joy in music and entertained many with his banjo, ukulele, and singing. Here is a link to a story written about Larry and his passion for rural health. https://floridaphysician.med.ufl.edu/2012/06/28/at-home-in-a-small-town/.
He was a brilliant and highly creative person with a gift for communication, connecting with others easily. In retirement he continued to like snakes, lizards, playing music, singing, woodworking and, most of all, having fun.
He is survived by wife, Nini, two children, Amelia A Rooks (Adrian Araya) and Benjamin J Rooks (Molly Kempson) and grandchildren Sophia Rooks and Ramona Rooks.
Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Shirley Sposetti, sister-in-law, Linda Rooks, nieces Julie Wolf (Chris Wolf) and Laura Rooks, cousin Jim Rooks (Penny) and frequent partner in camping, fishing and other adventures, cousin Paul Hunt (Kerry).
His parents, Marvin Williams Rooks and Bernie Avinger Rooks and his brother, Marvin Edward Rooks predeceased him.
Larry touched many lives and will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main Street, with Dr. Don McGarity officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 3:00 p.m.
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