IN REMEMBRANCE
IN REMEMBRANCE: DR. ROBERT COUCH
From My Eulogy – Tom McKechnie, MD
Printed below are the words of Dr. Tom McKechnie from the eulogy
given at Dr. Robert Couch’s funeral on November 25, 2019.
D
r. Bob Couch was my partner in the emergency depart-
ment - and my dear friend - for over 35 years. Many of
you have been blessed to know my brother in Christ,
Bob Couch, and could also be writing a story of how he
touched your life. I was humbled and emotionally over-
whelmed to speak at his funeral and asked for prayers as
I stood before the congregation. I prayed the Lord would
give me strength and fill me with the Holy Spirit, as my heart was
broken.
As I prepared for this message, I reflected on how fragile our
lives are, as described in James 4:14. “Why you don’t even know
what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that
appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
I thought, does my life have meaning?
I also thought of Matthew 5:14 when I considered Bob’s life.
“You are the light of the world," and "Let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father
in Heaven.”
My friend Bob was a light for many.
Let me tell you a story of a doctor who was bigger than life, my
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
friend and mentor Bob.
If each of us in the sanctuary were to hold a candle to represent
those he touched, it would look like this whole church is on fire. We
were blessed by Bob through friendships, work, committees, and
family, as evidenced by the endless line at the visitation. Every time
we meet someone, we leave a mark. Do we respond in compassion,
do we show love to those that are hard to love, or do we do nothing
and walk away?
What we do, matters.
Bob and I calculated one night that he had seen over 120,000
patients in his career. Just imagine in Bob’s career, in addition to all
those in the congregation, he also touched the lives of over 120,000
patients and their families.
For me to have met Bob, was to see a glimpse of Heaven.
When I remember Bob, I realize he was a walking miracle for
many. Oh, not the miracles we all think of when we think of miracles,
but I am talking about the pure wonder of divine appointments. I
had people tell me about times when Bob would stop and not say
a word, but hold their hand when they were hurting, or say a kind
word when they were not expecting it.
God is performing miracles every day through those around
us, if we could only see through the eyes of Christ. People end up