mathis_glen

KANSAS
Glen Mathis ’72
Owner, Mathis Drug Store Inc.

Glen Mathis (B.S. ’72) is a caretaker — of his farm, of his family, and of the customers at his drug store.

Mathis and his wife, Karen, own Mathis Drug Store, an independent pharmacy in Girard, Kan. They bought the store from Mathis’ father, who also got his pharmacy degree from UMKC.

“Pharmacy is in the family,” Mathis says. “It’s one of those things that gets in your blood.”

Mathis has built his business around, as he calls it, “a commitment to never say no.”

“I feel like a doctor. When people go to the doctor and they need medicine, I get it for them,” he says. “I’ve come in at 2:30 in the morning and on Saturdays and Sundays and Christmas and Thanksgiving.”

It’s a promise he and his wife made to the community when they bought the store more than 20 years ago.

“I’m used to being called away from dinner,” he says. “That’s part of the business — that’s what we decided.”

Mathis and his wife have also committed themselves to providing individualized care to each of their customers. Mathis says he knows 90 percent of his customers by name.

“It’s very rewarding to have people call you and basically put their life’s trust in your hands,” Mathis says. “Karen and I both feel that way.”

Mathis and his wife aren’t the only caretakers in their family. Two of their daughters are nurses, and one of their sons-in-law is an oral surgeon.

When they’re not working at the drug store, they’re tending to their farm or spending time with their three children and seven grandchildren.

As for regrets, Mathis says he only has one.

“We look back on things and wish my wife went to UMKC with me, because it’s been really rewarding.”

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