He was a part of tough Lawrence High football teams. Or maybe that’s because Robert ‘Doc’ Hughes helped the Lions know the difference between injuries and pain.

Hughes, a volunteer doctor for LHS from 1974 to 1997, died Thursday at Lakeview Manor. He was 75.

He’s remembered by LHS supporters as a tough but caring man who could be spotted along the sideline of every game for more than 20 years.

“He was a good, laid-back, sideline doctor,” said Don Gardner, a long-time LHS supporter and former trainer.

Hughes was on hand for each of the Lions’ 10 Kansas State High School Activities Assn. Class 6A state titles, helping LHS coaches Bill Freeman and Dick Purdy ensure players were healthy and always able to play, even if players weren’t sure they could.

“You had to be pretty seriously injured for him to pay attention to you,” said Ron Commons, LHS athletics director and former assistant coach.

Hughes was never careless with the players’ health, and would often check injured Lions before and after games to make sure they were healthy.

“He always came back to the high school after games and checked the kids,” Gardner said.