Ronald Masao Kobayashi

Dr. Kobayashi was born in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1961 and received his medical degree from the University of Southern California Medical School in 1965.

From 1965 to 1967, Dr. Kobayashi served as an intern and first year medical resident at The New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center in New York City. After serving as a medical officer in the US Army during the Vietnam War, he completed his neurology residency at The Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He continued his research studies in neuropharmacology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. He received the S. Weir Mitchell Award from the American Academy of Neurology in 1974.

In 1974, Dr. Kobayashi returned to California to pursue research, teaching and clinical care at UCSD School of Medicine. After four years, he began his private practice, specializing in Parkinson’s Disease and related neurological disorders at Sharp Memorial Hospital. He retired from medical practice in 2002 after 24 years.

Dr. Kobayashi served as President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and was a board member of the Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego. He was honored with the Spirit of Life Award in 2008 for his service.

Aside from medicine, Dr. Kobayashi maintained a lifelong interest in photography. In particular, he enjoyed photographing family and friends, nature and interesting sights on his travels. He also enjoyed golf, especially during his retirement, when he met many new friends and was able to share time with his granddaughter.

Dr. Kobayashi was buried in a private family service. He is survived by his wife, Naomi, two daughters, Anne and Caroline (Matthew Sparks), and a granddaughter. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made online at the link below or mailed to: Tributes to Dr. Ronald Kobayashi, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0940, La Jolla, CA 92093-0940, with checks payable to UC San Diego Foundation, Fund #E7055 in the memo.