OBITUARY: Dr. Henry Louis ‘Lou’ Obersteadt

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Henry Louis “Lou” Obersteadt announces his passing on July 15, 2025, at the age of 84 years in Nashville, Tennessee. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on December 8, 1940, where he attended public schools. He attended college at Washington University in St. Louis and graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis. He joined the U.S. National Guard and served in the Army reserves. He attended Boot Camp at Fort Campbell, Kentucky prior to being transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he worked in hospital administration.

Lou had many hobbies in his life that gave him great joy. His love of golf, fishing, hunting, and hiking were the highlights and gave him many wonderful memories. He leased property in Clifton, Tennessee for over 20 years, where he spent much of his time and had great hunts with his boys and friends. He enjoyed playing golf at Hillwood Country Club with good friends for 30 years and loved fly fishing on the Caney Fork River, great trips to the White River in Arkansas, and the Smoky Mountains. He and Mary had two trips to South Africa hunting on safari and touring the country. The second trip included Brent and Grant and was a hunter’s dream come true. His trophy room was his pride and joy. Unfortunately, when downsizing Mary said they gotta go!

The true highlight of his early life was opening Belle Meade Chiropractic Center at 95 White Bridge Road in January 1977. In 1979 he purchased property at 99 White Bridge Road and opened his office at White Bridge Place where he practiced for 40 years. His passion for healing his patients followed him all his life. History was in the making when he practiced his specialty of Applied Kinesiology. It was an upcoming and new technology that had to prove itself to be accepted. Lou worked tirelessly to heal his patients and every one of them heard him say when they were ready to leave “let’s see if that doesn’t make you feel better”. Lou retired from private practice in 2019 and accepted a position with Vanderbilt Health working as a chiropractor for Metro Nashville School Employees and Family Healthcare Center. His passion for treating patients continued until July 2, 2025, when he fell and broke his shoulder. His love and compassion for his patients is a testament of his career. His love and affection for his employees and coworkers in private practice and the MNPS Clinic have given him much joy and many friendships.

“Dr. 011 as his patients called him, attained many achievements, honors, and awards in the chiropractic profession, including being a member of the Tennessee Board of Chiropractic Examiners and President of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association. He taught many years in postgraduate education for Logan Chiropractic College and Texas Chiropractic College. He also was a SO-year member of the International College of Applied Kinesiology, where he has received awards and honors for serving on the board and teaching postgraduate education.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents, Henry L. and Bernice Mccarter Obersteadt, brother Charles Thomas Obersteadt, and sister Sarah Obersteadt Merritt Fanning all of St. Joseph, Missouri.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years Mary Knowles Obersteadt, sons Kurt Louis Obersteadt, Grant Thomas Obersteadt (Lauren), and Brent Todd Obersteadt (Ashley), brother Carl Wesley Obersteadt (Ginny). Grandchildren Elsie Obersteadt, Annabelle Obersteadt, Tucker Obersteadt, Kyle Obersteadt, and Ryan Obersteadt. Nephews and nieces Chad Obersteadt (Anne), Dana Obersteadt Jones (Eric), Erik Obersteadt (Angel), Robin Obersteadt Huber {Dennis), and Michael Merritt. Great-nieces Taylor Jones and Kristin Jones and Great­ nephews Chris Obersteadt and Josh Obersteadt.

Lou and Mary were members at Christ Presbyterian Church for many years and served on the parents committees and board at Christ Presbyterian Academy. They currently are members of Stephens Valley Church and have been blessed by the pastoral ministry with Jim Bachman and King Counts, the women’s ministry with meal train and prayer shawls, and the congregation’s prayers, home and hospital visits, cards, and phone calls.

Services will be held at Stephens Valley Church, 6000 Pasquo Road, Nashville, TN 37221, on Sunday, July 20th at 3pm, Pastor Jim Bachmann and Dr. King Counts will officiate, with visitation and reception to follow. https://taylorsince1909.com

For more obituaries visit https://dicksoncountysource.com/obituaries/

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