Robert Frank Biehl, M.D.

Robert Frank Biehl, MD, of Springfield, IL, passed away at home on March 22, 2011. He was 76. Robert was born November 22, 1934 in Mt. Vernon, NY to Frank and Anne Biehl; he graduated from Barberton High School in Ohio in 1952. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was a member of Delta Tau Fraternity and received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering. He attended Harvard Medical School and earned his MD in 1960. He completed an internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Washington D.C., and a pediatric residency at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts. He also received a Masters of Public Health and a specialty degree in Developmental Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Biehl served in the U.S. Naval Medical Corps for 33 years. He retired from the Navy as a Captain, Residency Director, Pediatric Advisor to the Surgeon General of the Navy, and Chief of Pediatrics at the National Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA in 1987. That same year, he moved to Springfield, IL to become Director of the University of Illinois Division of Specialized Care for Children. He retired from that position in 1997. He married Winifred Jane Kine in Stamford, CT in 1959. He was an avid teacher, craftsman, reader, world traveler and collector, and struggled with Parkinson's Disease for 14 years. He is survived by many friends; his loving wife of 52 years, Wini; sister, Nancy Biehl Gerbing of Shingletown, CA; four children, Thomas Robert Biehl (Libby Hill) of Seattle, WA, Gretchen Jane Biehl Edison (William) of Albany, CA, Andrew Robert Biehl (Geraldine) of Heraldsburg, CA and Ellen Biehl Fung (John) of Berkeley, CA; and seven grandchildren. Visitation: 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL. Visitation will begin with a Eulogy Ceremony at 4:00 p.m. Prayer Service: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N. W. 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136.