Robert Whitney Davis M.D.

Robert Whitney Davis, MD, former Chief of Psychiatry at West Jefferson Medical Center, and beloved husband of Mary Kahn Davis passed away Monday, May 4, 2015 at the age of 81. Dr. Davis was the son of the late Robert Edward Davis and the late Thelma Sirgo Davis. He was born in New Orleans and grew up in old Metairie. Dr. Davis was a graduate of Metairie High School and Tulane Univeristy then went on to receive his medical degree from Louisiana State University. Lieutenant Commander Davis was stationed at the United States Navy Hospital on Guam, where he was Chief of Psychiatric Services for the South Pacific. Upon returning to Louisiana, he was the founder and director of mental health services for students at LSUNO. Dr. Davis was one of the founders and former director of River Oaks Hospital. He was honored as a Lifetime Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association after over 50 years of practicing medicine. Throughout his career, he was constantly dedicated to improving the delivery of services to his patients.

Known as a man of few words, he loved Mardi Gras and was a former member of the Jesters Club and Semreh Club. Just this year, Dr. Davis watched his venerated Knights of Babylon from the street after over 40 years of riding. In addition to his passion for reading, he had a lifelong interest in learning and following the Saints. He was an avid traveler who enjoyed photography and eating his way around the world.

Dr. Davis was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Blundell Davis and daughter-in-law, Valerie Smith Davis. He is survived by his wife, Mary Kahn Davis, his brother, Henry (Hank) Charles Davis (Elsie Lipps Davis), his sister, Lucille Davis Bleichner; his four children, Diana Lizabeth Davis Brooks (Martin I. Brooks), Robert Whitney Davis, Jr. (Allyson Gernon Davis), Lane Blundell Davis (Jeanne Day Davis) and Virginia Davis Painter (Samuel Thornton Painter); a step son, George Kahn Stokely as well as eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Davis family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Patricia Estrada , Dr. Frank Kushner and Robyn Isemann, RN for their loving care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Angela Merici Roman Catholic Church 835 Melody Dr. on May 8, 2015 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will began at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery. A reception will follow at Lambeth House 150 Broadway St. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness 1538 Louisiana Ave. New Orleans, LA 70115, Lambeth House Foundation 150 Broadway New Orleans, LA 70118 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home