Robert Demling, M.D. “Doc Bob” of Needham passed away on August 24, 2018, he was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 17, 1943 to Gerard Demling and Margaret Jacobitz. He attended Notre Dame University followed by the Medical College of Wisconsin. He trained in surgery at the UCSF Hospital. During his seven years residency he was a fellow of the Cardiovascular Research Institute. He then moved to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in 1976 as Director of the Burn Center.
In 1979 he became Director of the Burn Center and Surgical Research at the Sacramento Hospital, UC Davis. He moved to Boston in 1982 and became Director of the Longwood Area Trauma Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
He was very active in research, authoring 250 published research papers and becoming a Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He was recognized internationally for his research and clinical care and became a pioneer in surgical critical care.
In 1994 he became the President of the American Burn Association where he remained active in clinical care, teaching, and research.
Active in sports, he played competitive rugby and was an avid fisherman.
He is survived by two loving daughters, Jill and Kate, three granddaughters, Ellie, Annie, and Story, a brother Tom, a stepsister Mary Lou Jacobitz, a stepbrother James Jacobitz, his dear friend of over two decades Leslie Desanti, and his two godsons Matthew and Christopher Matossian.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 1305 Highland Ave. Needham on Tuesday, August 28th at 8am, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church Needham at 9am. Relatives and friends Kindly invited. Visiting hours Monday, August 27 from 4-7pm. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.