Robert Lee Hewitt, M.D.

Dr. Robert Lee Hewitt, age 90, surgeon and educator, born November 2, 1934 in Paducah, Kentucky, only child of Lee Alton Hewitt and Donis Pearl Brown Hewitt, both natives of Mississippi, died on August 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA on September 6, 2025 at 2 pm with the Reverend John Pitzer officiating. Visitation with family will be in Trinity Episcopal Church from 1 pm to 1:45 pm. Private interment at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

Dr. Hewitt was recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in cardiovascular surgery and an educator in surgery. He retired in 2006 as Chairman and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine following a distinguished career which included: military surgery, academic surgery, private practice of surgery and academic administration. He was a member of the leading national surgical societies of his specialty including: American Surgical Association, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Southern Surgical Association, Society of University Surgeons and many others. He was certified by The American Board of Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Hewitt was author of numerous publications and textbook chapters and was principal investigator for National Institutes of Health Research Grants in cardiac and cardiovascular surgery. He was Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine from 1998 to 2006 during a time of expansion and introduction of minimally invasive and robotic surgery.

Dr. Hewitt was a native of Paducah, Kentucky, and a graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School. He attended college at the University of Louisville and received his M.D. degree at Tulane University School of Medicine in 1959. He completed internship and residency training in general, thoracic, and cardiovascular surgery at Tulane from 1959 through 1966. He then served in the United States Army Medical Corps as Captain and Commanding Officer of the 240th Medical Detachment attached to the 18th Surgical Hospital and the 71st Evacuation Hospital, Pleiku, Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He then served at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. from 1967 to 1968 as Acting Chief of the Department of Experimental Surgery in the Division of Surgery where he made original contributions to the development of an Army Artificial Heart Pump as well as original contributions to surgery of vascular war injuries.

Following military service in 1968, Dr. Hewitt returned to join the faculty at Tulane as Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery. He became Professor of Surgery with tenure in 1975 and was Chief of the Section of Cardiac Surgery. He entered the private practice of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery in 1976. He subsequently served on the Board of Directors of Tulane Medical Center and the Board of Directors of Tulane University Hospital. He returned to the Faculty at Tulane in 1994.

Dr. Hewitt served as President of the following: Tulane Surgical Society, New Orleans Surgical Society, Surgical Association of Louisiana, Tulane Medical Alumni Association, Southern Surgeons Club and other organizations. He received the Tulane Medical Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and the Tulane Medical Alumni Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2011. He was selected by the New Orleans Young Leadership Council as a Role Model Honoree in 1996.

Dr. Hewitt was always appreciative for the privilege of participating in the care of patients, the education of surgical residents and medical students and scientific research. He contributed to training and career development of surgeons throughout the United States and internationally as well. He was honored as Visiting Professor and Guest Lecturer to many medical schools and teaching centers throughout the United States and world.

Dr. Hewitt was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a member of the General Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the Revolution, Aztec Club of 1847, General Society of War of 1812, Military Order of Foreign Wars and was a Chevalier in the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. He remained devoted to his colleagues of the 18th Surgical Hospital (Vietnam) and their reunions. Dr. Hewitt’s surgical activities in Vietnam were featured in the book “Soldiers Saving Soldiers – Vietnam Remembered: A History of the 18th Surgical Hospital” authored by Jerry W. Martin, M.D. ad published in 2011. He was a member of several carnival organizations.

Dr. Hewitt was preceded in death by Emmy Parks Hewitt, nee Emmy Louise Parks, who died in 1962, and Patricia Stewart Hewitt, nee Patricia Margaret Stewart, who died in 2006. He is survived by his four children: Mrs. James Randolph Vivian Daniel IV (Heather and Randy) of Richmond, VA, Mr. Robert Stewart Hewitt (Rob and Nancy) of Covington, LA, Mr. Whit Butler Hewitt (Whit and Shelley) of New Orleans, LA, and Ms. Brooke Hewitt Warf of Carrollton, VA, and nine grandchildren: Parks Hewitt Daniel, James Randolph Vivian Daniel V (Ian and Chloe), Caroline Chapman Hewitt, Elizabeth Lane Hewitt (Liza), Robert Leighton Hewitt (Leighton), William Blair Hewitt, James Warner Warf IV (Jim), Brandon Hewitt Warf and Colton William Warf.

The family would like to thank the team of caregivers at Camellia House of Poydras Home, especially Crystal, Zina, Sharone, Hattie, Laura, and Danielle, and Anvoi Hospice, especially Adam, Mark and Chaplain Zeal.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130 or Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com