Dr. Robert Harris LePere

After 94 years of living a most honorable life, Dr. Robert “Bob” Harris LePere was called home by his Lord and Savior in the early morning of March 26, 2021. Bob was born on July 18, 1926 in Kirksville, Missouri to Dr. Oscar R. and Lorene Harris LePere. During his first year the family moved from Missouri to Gonzalez, TX. where he attended Gonzales High School. After high school he received a scholarship to Baylor University, but he had other plans, and at the age of 17 (with reluctant consent from his parents) he joined the Army and headed overseas as WWII raged on. After the war Sergeant LePere came back to his beloved Texas and enrolled at Baylor University.

Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston, TX would be the start of his medical career. While in Houston and interning with Dr. Michael DeBakey he met the love of his life, Vivienne “Vicky” Schwarting. They married in August of 1952 and what became a 69-year lover affair and partnership. Later that year Bob and Vicky moved to New Orleans where he served as a general surgery resident to Dr. Alton Ochsner’s Service at Charity Hospital. While in New Orleans and under cardiologist Dr. George Burch’s mentorship and encouragement the young couple found themselves heading to London where Bob would spend the next two years as a Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Registrar to Sir Russell Brock at Guy’s Hospital. London became their second home and they made their way back there annually for many years.

Bob and Vicky moved from London to San Antonio in 1959 where he opened what was one of the first practices focused on thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Several years later he, along with Byron Dooley and Leo Quello, founded Thoracic and Cardiovascular Associates where he remained until his retirement 20 years ago. With God’s Hand Bob was able to aid and save many patients that suffered with heart and lung issues. During his post-surgical career Bob was honored to spend time with Dr. John Calhoon as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio. He was a member of many US, Texas, and San Antonio medical societies as well as two in Europe. Bob had many papers published in various medical journals during his career. Besides his published works, he also penned many letters offering advice to politicians at the local, state, and federal level, including the residents at Pennsylvania Avenue. Topics often included morality, healthcare insurance and sometimes taxes.

Bob’s greatest gifts where his love of family, his patients and love and devotion to his Lord and Savior. The family dinner was usually at 9 PM every night because that was when he came home from work, but on some occasions, he never came home at all because he insisted on sleeping in his patient’s room after a difficult procedure. He was a great storyteller to his young children and was also known as quite the writer and reciter of poetry. Bob loved his First Presbyterian Church family where he was an Elder and longtime member of the Thursday morning bible study group, which he rarely missed until his later years.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, and younger brothers Gerald and Donald. He is survived by his loving wife, Vicky: daughter Sharon (Kevin Buchar), son Richard H. LePere and wife Kristin; grandchildren Robert Harris LePere II and wife Gracie, Sophia LePere; great grandson Richard H. “Cardo” LePere II; cousins Michael Harris (Barbara); sister-in-law Carmen LePere; nieces Sandra Mihalov, Leslea Linebarger (Daryl), Lee Ann Cox (Bartley) and Pam Bennett.

A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Wed., April 7, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church. Bob’s ashes, besides those scattered at his beloved Thunder Mountain Ranch in the hill country, will be placed in the columbarium at First Presbyterian. You may click on the link below to watch the livestreaming of his service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to HeartGift (HeartGift.org), SA Chapter or First Presbyterian Church (fpcsanantonio.org).

Click here to view the livestreaming