Robert L. Spears ’54

Robert L. Spears ’54 passed away on June 23, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bob came to Dartmouth from Fullerton (California) Union High School. Bob graduated Phi Beta Kappa and from Dartmouth Medical School in 1955. He then received his M.D. from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1957. After completing his internship at L.A. County-USC Medical Center and residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital, he studied neonatology in Paris from 1960 to 1962 on a NATO fellowship. He then returned to USC, and during his 40-year career there served as assistant professor of pediatrics from 1962 to 1969 and then as associate professor of pediatrics from 1969 to his retirement in 2002. During this time he held a number of senior administrative positions with USC Medical School-affiliated hospitals. Bob wrote more than 25 articles in leading medical journals in the fields of neonatology, medical education and health. He served on the board of numerous organizations, including the first visitor services at Peak Vista Community Health Centers and Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Services at the University of Colorado, and was on the board of trustees of Colorado Springs Memorial Hospital. In 1997 he moved to Colorado Springs. Bob is survived by his wife, Mali, and his children Robert ’81 and Carolyn.