Robert Gagnet Weilbaecher, M.D.

Robert Gagnet Weilbaecher, M.D., physician, teacher, eternal optimist, lifelong learner, and passionate lover of life, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at the age of 87. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Sharon Nelson Weilbaecher. He was a devoted father to Katherine Nelson Weilbaecher (and Scott Frey), Susan Weilbaecher Raymond (and Jim), Robert Gagnet Weilbaecher Jr., and Ann Nelson Weilbaecher, and proud grandfather to Austin, Julia, Robbie, Ellie, Erik, Finn, and William. Bob was blessed to find love again in his 80’s and marry Georgie Siebrandt DeBlanc, perpetually holding her hand in his final years, even at his death. He was equally blessed to have bonus children through their marriage: Harold DeBlanc III., Georganne (and John) Campbell, and Danny DeBlanc and bonus grandchildren: Ryan, Maci, Matthew, Danielle, and Johnny.

Bob was born on September 14, 1938, in New Orleans to Joseph Oswald Weilbaecher, M.D., and Marcelle Gagnet Weilbaecher. He attended Jesuit High School, earned a B.A. from Loyola University New Orleans, and received his M.D. from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1963. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he met his future wife Sharon Nelson of Fort Smith, Arkansas, who was then pursuing a master’s degree in medical illustration. The two were delighted to discover they shared the same birthday, a coincidence they always regarded as fate. Sharon became an accomplished medical illustrator and fine artist and inspired Bob’s lifelong passion for the visual arts, which they both imparted to their kids and grandkids.

Bob served in the U.S. Public Health Service and worked in the laboratory of Dr. Victor McKusick at Johns Hopkins studying the hereditary basis of disease, including research among Amish communities. After returning to New Orleans in 1967, he joined the faculty of Tulane Medical School and later became a Professor of Medicine and medical oncology at LSU School of Medicine, where he trained generations of medical students and residents. He particularly loved working with patients at Charity Hospital and Hotel Dieu.

Bob founded the first hospice program in Louisiana and directed the New Orleans Tumor Registry. He maintained a large oncology practice in Metairie and downtown New Orleans and was deeply devoted to his patients. He made house calls, as his father and grandfather had done. He came from a family of doctors: his grandfather, J.O. Sr, his father J.O. Jr, his 2 brothers Thomas (Tom) and Donald, his uncle Maurice, his cousin David and his children, Kathy and Bob Jr.. He frequently said medicine was the best profession in the world and felt it was a privilege to care for others.

A brilliant diagnostician and lifelong student of medicine, Bob read constantly about new therapies and the mechanisms of disease. Always ahead of his time, he took a sabbatical at MD Anderson Cancer Center to study the emerging field of immunotherapy and bring those ideas back to his patients and students in New Orleans.

Bob lived with extraordinary energy and curiosity. He traveled to six continents with family and friends and was a patron of the visual arts, theatre and music, especially opera, jazz, the symphony and the New Orleans International Piano competition. He walked 5 to 10 miles each day, played tennis, skied annually for 50 years, kayaked in the Louisiana swamps with Casey Willems and friends and family (through his 70s), walked across England, climbed Mount Hood, and in retirement climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

A true polymath, Bob’s knowledge spanned across science, philosophy, literature, music, and art. He was an avid reader and member of his book club for 40 years. He attended weekly lunches with both his Jesuit classmates, and the ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and hosted monthly family discussions on subjects ranging from Gilgamesh and Michelangelo to Japanese art, opera, and modern scientific breakthroughs. He also treasured his weekly philosophy discussions and chess games with his brother, Tom Weilbaecher. He delighted in encouraging others, particularly his children and grandchildren, to discover their talents and follow their passions.

Bob loved New Orleans deeply and possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of its history and culture. He cherished its music, from Preservation Hall jazz to Pete Fountain, Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, and Trombone Shorty. He shared his love of the city through legendary tours that ranged from Lake Pontchartrain to the French Quarter, including a stop at one of his favorite restaurants.

Harold and Georgie DeBlanc were lifelong close friends with Bob and Sharon Weilbaecher. Harold DeBlanc was Bob’s closest friend from medical school. After Sharon and Harold’s passings, Georgie and Bob reconnected, and their 60-year friendship blossomed into love and marriage. The Weilbaecher and DeBlanc families grew closer together as well. Georgie has close ties to New Orleans and went to Dominican High School and Loyola University. Bob and Georgie lived a full life and packed a lot into Bob’s last years, cherishing their extensive travels, music concerts, plays, museums, social activities, lectures and learning every day.

Bob lived by the words of Marcus Aurelius: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” From morning until night he embraced life fully and without regret, often saying that every day was the best day of his life.

Above all things, Bob always put family first. He will be remembered for his indomitable spirit, his intellectual curiosity, deep love of family and friends, infectious optimism and joie de vivre.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on 12:00 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2026, at Holy Name of Jesus Christ Catholic Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave. A visitation will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will take place immediately following at All Saints Mausoleum within Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Amici- the New Orleans Friends of the Metropolitan Opera National Council, or The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), or Loyola University of New Orleans.