Robert A. Hoekelman ’48

Robert A. Hoekelman ’48 died March 7 surrounded by his family at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua, New York. He graduated from Dartmouth, where he was active in football and a member of Christopher Key Society and Storrs House/Delta Kappa Epsilon. He earned his M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and trained as a pediatric resident at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and at Babies Hospital in New York City. Bob then served two years in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps during the Korean War before entering pediatric practice in 1955 as a member of the Canandaigua Medical Group. In 1967 he joined the faculty of the department of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry as director of ambulatory pediatric services at the Strong Memorial Hospital. He was a professor and chairman of the department of pediatrics and pediatrics-in-chief from 1983 until 1993 and associate dean of the medical school from 1993 until 1995. He retired in 1997, but continued to be active teaching at the medical school until 2004. At Rochester he received more than $9 million in research and educational grants, was a visiting professor to 29 medical schools internationally, edited 13 medical textbooks and five journals, wrote more than 250 textbook chapters, and served as a consultant to or active in a number of national organizations in his field. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Ann, and is survived by four daughters and eight grandchildren.