John Joseph O'Hearne

The Reverend John J. O'Hearne, M.D. died on Monday, May 15, 2017, at Bishop Spencer Place at the age of 95.

Dr. O'Hearne was born on February 5, 1922. His life was marked by a series of intellectual achievements. He received his undergraduate degree from Southwestern College (now Rhodes), and his M.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1945. He received his Master's in Psychiatry from the University of Colorado and he was Chief of Psychology at Fort Benning, GA. He was discharged in 1946 from the Army having earned the rank of Captain.

He started his practice in Kansas City as the director of the Psychiatric Receiving Center on Hospital Hill. He trained in California and New York with Eric Berne and Fritz Perls, so that he could pioneer the use of group therapy. He was past President of American Group Psychotherapy, and on the Board of Directors of the International Transactional Analysis Association. He loved being at the leading edge, helping people to grow and emotionally heal in less time. He introduced group therapy and family therapy to Kansas City.

Dr. O'Hearne was a Life Fellow in the American Psychiatrist Association, the American Orthopsychiatry Association and American Group Psychotherapy Association.

He was named Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Kansas and Adjunct Professor of Sociology at UMKC. He dropped his inpatient practice in order to help people who were more capable of rapid and dramatic transformation of their emotional lives. He taught introduction to Group Psychotherapy throughout the US and eight other countries (Bermuda, Haiti Israel, Brazil, Japan, Russia and Kenya). He wrote more than 24 chapters and articles. He opened Psychiatric Receiving Center and began racial integration there in the early 1950's.

He spent six weeks as the Chaplin at the St. Deiniol's Library (now Gladstone's) in Hawarden, Flintshire, U.K. He was inducted into the Society of Ordained Scientists, an international religious group of priest-scientists within the Anglican Communion.

Dr. O'Hearne was married to Barbara Vanneman O'Hearne for more than 33 years. During this time they traveled extensively, skiing and enjoyed being with family and friends in their home in Colorado. They met people from all over the world including many close friends in Kansas City and the Vail Valley. He was very proud of his Irish heritage, had two photography exhibits and participated in two art fairs. He was studying French and German until his health began to fail.

For 25 years he did psychiatric screening on candidates for ministerial studies with three denominations. At age 70 he was ordained an Episcopal Priest at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. On several occasions he helped friends with their dying process and loved being a priest. He preached memorable sermons at GHT and the Vail Chapel in Colorado. Attended a weekly class studying the mystics.

He fathered four children, with then wife, Lillian Platner, M.D., Patricia Anne Prater and Marilyn O'Hearne (Nicholson). John Stephen O'Hearne and Brian Donal O'Hearne. And, grandfather to nine, Amelia Nicholson, Sean Prater, Claire Nicholson McClun, Breanna Prater, Lauren Johnson, Alexandra O'Hearne, Nicole O'Hearne, Michael O'Hearne and Alexander O'Hearne. Step-children and grandchildren, Claude F. Myers IV (Bo), his son Zach, Molly Myers and daughter Madison Myers. His parents, John J. O'Hearne and Norma Ford O'Hearne and four sisters preceded him in death.

He greatly enjoyed his children, being President of the American Group Psychotherapy Association for two years, becoming an Episcopal priest and traveling with his wife, Barbara. He was in Who's Who in the United States for 25 years and Who's Who in the World.
When he retired from 50 years of practicing psychiatry and 50 years of downhill skiing he had a painful time for about three years. It has been less painful with Barbara's care, and the support of friends and especially his children.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff and residents at Bishop Spencer Place for their loving care and friendship during Dr. O'Hearne's time there.

In lieu of flowers contributions maybe made to Bishop Spencer Benevolent Care Endowment Fund, 4301 Madison, Kansas City, MO 64111; Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113; Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, PO Box 1000, Vail, CO 81658.

To share a special memory or leave a message of condolence for Dr. O'Hearne's family, visit the guestbook below above.