Dr. Larry Nussbaum, 77, of Prairie Village, Kansas, died peacefully on June 7 at his home, surrounded by family and love.
Larry was born on Nov. 15, 1946, to Sam (z"l) and Elizabeth Nussbaum in a displaced persons camp in Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy. The family immigrated to the United States and settled in Kansas City, Missouri, when Larry was two years old.
Larry attended Southwest High School and the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and he received his M.D. from the University of Missouri. He began his career as a pediatrician, and his love of technology led him to return to residency and become a radiologist. He practiced radiology at Liberty Hospital for 26 years and, upon “retirement,” continued practicing and teaching in Kirksville, Missouri, at Northeast Regional Medical Center.
Larry was a talented athlete, excelling in baseball as a youth and later in all racquet sports, where he was an early adopter of pickleball. He was a committed coach to all his children’s youth sports teams and prided himself on being a world champion aerial tennis player. His competitive spirit spared no one, always dominating the family basketball games and basement ping-pong matches.
Larry was passionate about his family, Judaism and his love for Israel. He supported a myriad of Jewish causes including Congregations Beth Shalom and BIAV; the Jewish Federation; Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy; and vocal leader and champion for AIPAC. He lived his life as a warrior fighting for these causes and showed the same strength as he battled ALS.
Larry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ronna (Gumowitz); his mother, Elizabeth Nussbaum of Overland Park, Kansas; his brother Mel of Kansas City, Missouri; his brother and sister-in-law Rabbi David and Sara Gitti Nussbaum of Denver, Colorado; his sister and brother-in-law Bonnie and Russell Mannis of Westchester, New York; his son and daughter-in-law Jered and Corey Nussbaum and their children Sam, Kyra and Marah of Leawood, Kansas; his daughter and son-in-law Ashlyn and Dani Gorlin and their children Nitai, Liat and Caleb of Chicago, Illinois; his daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and David Elyashar and their children Jake, Eva and Livia of Chicago; and son and daughter-in-law Alex and Rebecca Nussbaum and their children Annaelle, Judah and Liev of Dallas, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Larry and Ronna Nussbaum Philanthropic Foundation at the Kansas City Jewish Community Foundation, which the family will donate to various Jewish causes important to Larry and his family.
Funeral services were held on June 9 at Louis Memorial Chapel. Burial followed in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
