Robert Eugene Nenad Sr., MD

Robert Eugene Nenad, Sr., M.D., World War II veteran, physician and beloved father, husband, uncle, and grandfather died Saturday at the age of 94, due to complications following a fall. He was born on June 6, 1927, to Genevieve “Jesse” and Daniel Nenad in Washington, Pennsylvania and was of Ukrainian and Serbian heritage. His parents, along with his wife, Norma, and brother, Daniel, preceded him in death.

Robert “Bob” Nenad, Sr. was raised in Washington, PA, graduated high school at age 16 and began studies at Washington & Jefferson College. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II (1942-1945) and worked as a medic at National Naval Medical Center (Walter Reed) in Bethesda, Maryland. Following his service, he returned to his college and graduated with a degree in Biology. He met and married his first wife Norma in Washington, PA. He then began research at the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic in the lab of the renowned artificial organ pioneer Willem Kolff, M.D. working with early versions of the artificial kidney. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio in 1957 and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Now with three young sons, he and Norma moved to Phoenix, population 500,000, in 1961, so he could begin private medical practice. As an internist, he was highly respected by his peers. He worked at St. Luke’s, Good Samaritan, and St. Joseph’s hospitals. He held various leadership positions, including Chief of Staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center. To entertain the nursing staff, he learned to write upside down and backwards to avoid having to flip over his patients’ charts. He even made house calls. After he retired from the clinical practice of medicine, he began a second career working for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona consulting on high-risk medical procedures. He finally gave up work at age 85.

Bob was active in volunteer civic activities, including years with the YMCA, Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 441 (over 100 scouts), president of the Kiva-Cocopah Little League, president of the Chaparral High School Booster Club and the Chaparral High team physician. Through his involvement, he often became a mentor and “second father” to many youths and young adults, who affectionately called him Doc.

In the 1970s, he and other concerned citizens established the “Save our Phoenix Mountains” committee, which led to the establishment of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve (about 12,000 acres of pristine mountains and parks in the heart of the Valley) and homebuilding limitations on the higher elevations of Camelback, Mummy and Piestewa Peak mountains. In recognition of his extensive volunteer activities, he earned the distinguished Hon Kachina Volunteer Award for community service in 1985.

His devotion to his family was primary. There were many family adventures, explorations, and car trips. As a result, the family visited all 48 continental states and most national parks. As a side benefit of his role in the Scouts, he discovered his love for hiking and camping, mastering many hikes into the Superstition, Bradshaw, Matazal, and White mountains. He also hiked Mount Whitney, the California Sierra Trail, the Grand Canyon, and Havasupai Canyon.

He had a quick wit and was known for his corny puns. He was the king of “dad” jokes even before they were cool. It is only fitting that his burial will be on April Fool’s Day.

He supported his sons in their various sports and other activities and closely followed all their events. His beloved wife, Norma, unfortunately died at a young age due to breast cancer. Later in life, he married Edna Mae “Edgy” Fine, and they spent many years entertaining and traveling the world.

He is survived by his sons Robert Jr. (Monica), Mark (Munazza) and David (Deena), his grandchildren Nick, Isabelle, Chase, William, Zain and Ayla and his niece Nancy. Lastly, he is survived by his loving companion, his dog, Peek-a-Boo.

He will be remembered by those who knew him as an outstanding physician, civic leader, and mentor. Those who had the opportunity to know him well, knew him as dependable, honest, funny, incredibly kind, and completely devoted to his family. After a fruitful and fulfilling life, another member of the Greatest Generation has passed on. He truly made the world a better place.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 31 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Green Acres Mortuary, Scottsdale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 1 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church at The Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale. A private family burial will immediately follow the Mass. A lunch and Celebration of Life will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Valley Field Riding & Polo Club, 2530 N. 64th St., Scottsdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Phoenix YMCA, Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or the Humane Society of Arizona.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresmortuary.net for the Nenad family.