Dr. Robert P. Christopher

Robert P. Christopher, M.D. passed away on December 8, 2022, at the age of 90 following a brief illness. Dr. Bob, as he would later become known to many, was born in Cleveland, graduated as Valedictorian from Avon Lake High School in 1950 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree as a premed student at Northwestern University in 1954. He went on to medical school at St. Louis University, but his attendance was interrupted by an attack of polio after his first year. He underwent rehabilitation through physical therapy for one year and returned to receive his MD in 1959. Dr. Bob moved to Ann Arbor for his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical Center. It was there that he would meet the love of his life, Doreen O’Leary. Married in 1962, Bob and Doreen would remain together for over 60 years and had three children, Robbie, Judy and Mark, whom they loved dearly. In 1967, Bob and Doreen moved to Memphis, TN, when he accepted an appointment at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He retired in 2001 having served the University of Tennessee for 33½ years.

Dr. Bob served on numerous professional advisory boards and committees over his years in Memphis for organizations including the National Easter Seal Society, United Cerebral Palsy, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Arthritis Foundation. He served as Consultant for Rehabilitation Medicine at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Medical Director at Les Passes Rehabilitation Center, and Director of Rehabilitation Medicine at LeBohneur Children’s Hospital. He was very active in community affairs in Memphis as a member of the Knights of Columbus and a founding member of the Serra Club of Memphis.

In 2001, Bob and Doreen retired to Vero Beach, FL, where he continued to be a very active member of the community there. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Island Club Home Owners Association and served as Board Secretary for three years. He also served as a Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was elected to that Board of Directors in 2004 becoming Treasurer in 2006 and President in 2008. He continued to serve on the Board until his death.

Dr. Christopher is survived by his wife Doreen O'Leary Christopher, and three children, Robert P. Christopher, Jr. of Chicago (Rob), Judith Christopher Letsinger of Chicago (Randy), and Mark J. Christopher of Atlanta (Elen) and five grandchildren, Andrew Christopher of Fernandina Beach, FL, Faith and Hannah Christopher of Atlanta, Christopher Letsinger of Atlanta and David Letsinger of Tucson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Charity Christopher and his brother, Walter M. Christopher, Jr.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 am at St. Sebastian Church, Sebastian, Florida on December 15, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be sent to the Robert and Doreen Christopher Scholarship Fund at St. Louis University School of Medicine or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Sebastian Conference, in Vero Beach, FL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycock-hillcrest.com for the Christopher family.