IN MEMORIAM

Robert F. Huxtable, M.D.

Professor of Pediatrics

 Irvine

1923—2003

Doctor Robert F. Huxtable, a noted Southern California pediatrician and an accomplished amateur photographer died Saturday, February 15, 2003, at his home in Escondido, California.

“Bob” Huxtable was born July 12, 1923, in Earle, Arkansas, a small town in the northeast part of the state. He was the oldest of three children, and lived and attended public school in Arkansas. Upon graduation from high school, Dr. Huxtable entered the University of Arkansas to pursue a career in chemical engineering. After one year he transferred to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where, in 1945, he received a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduation he moved to California and worked in the petroleum industry; however, his interests soon turned to biological sciences so he decided to enter medical school. He graduated from USC School of Medicine in 1950, served a rotating internship at LA County General Hospital followed by a pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Upon completion of his residency he served in the United States Air Force (Captain) as a Base Surgeon at the Itami Air Force Base, Itami, Japan. Upon completion of his tour of duty he accepted an appointment as chief resident at the Los Angeles County Communicable Disease Hospital. He then joined the pediatric faculty at USC as assistant clinical professor, advanced to tenured level as assistant professor and then to associate professor in 1972. However he also served a fellowship (1970-1971) at the Cardiovascular Research Institute, at the University of California, San Francisco in the company of the stalwarts in the field of neonatology and cardiology. Dr. Huxtable was recruited by the University of California Irvine, College of Medicine, by then Chairman Dr. Thomas Nelson, initially as associate professor but advanced to the professorial rank, which he held until retiring in 1985. While at UCI he was also head of the Division of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Dr. Huxtable created considerable excitement at UCI, upon his appointment, because of his expertise in the relatively young field of neonatology specializing in the care of small and sick premature babies. He and Tony Beran shared laboratory space in Building 43 along with Dr. Fong, Dr. Dumars, and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. With his engineering background from MIT and his deep understanding of physiology, his laboratory was among the first to design surface transcutaneous device prototypes, which revolutionized the ability to non-invasively measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in sick newborn babies. Among his most notable contributions was that he was one of the pioneers working with Dr. Bob Bartley who made medical history at UCI Medical Center in the 1970s by applying the technique of Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) to a newborn infant. This life saving procedure is now used worldwide – both in neonatal intensive care and pediatric cardiology.

In collaboration with Dr. D.R. Sperling, Tony Beran, Dr. Bob Bartley, Dr. Feizal Waffarn, Dr. Dale Gerstmann, Dr. Houchang Modanlou, and others, he authored or co-authored 40 articles with innumerable presentations at the national level. As program director he has trained many distinguished neonatologists who carry on his legacy. He was a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other Professional Societies. He was also contributed to academic advancement with his membership in several Medical and non-Medical committees at University of California, Irvine. He was admired by all and extremely popular with the faculty and students for of his depth of knowledge, critical thinking, his unflappable demeanor, and his quiet humor.

Upon retirement he pursued photography in his usual vigorous fashion, and as a result his photographs were featured in shows held at the Carlsbad Public Library and the Grand Galleria in Escondido.

A memorial presentation by his wife, Lois Bartholomew Chadwick Huxtable, includes an eloquent summary of Dr. Huxtable’s personal life; “Dr Huxtable was married for thirty five years to Sheila Matier Huxtable and raised two children, Hugh Huxtable of Arvada, Colorado, and Lynne Huxtable of Fairfield, Iowa. After Sheila’s death in 1983, Dr Huxtable married long-time family friend, Lois Bartholomew Chadwick. Dr Huxtable’s insatiable curiosity, his extraordinary memory, his humor, his skill as a story teller and his gentleness endeared him to his friends, his sister Mary Ann Barrett, his children, his step children, and the ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren who referred to him as” Pops.” They along with all of his professional colleagues honor his life and will cherish the special moments spent with him.

Bob we salute you.

 

Ken Dumars, M.D.
Feizal Waffarn, M.D.