Robert Joel Stern M.D.

Some time has passed now since my Dad has passed away. There's definitely a huge void in everybody's lives that were close to my Dad. He had an effect on people that seems larger now than I realized while he was with us. Many stories have been told of his humor, outrageousness, kindness, caring, light-heartedness, and inellect. He was also a great Dad. He taught my brothers and I many things that we will use for the rest of our lives. I think he also passed along some of his great...

Robert J. Stern
1939-2004


My name is Nancy Stern. I am proud to say that I am David Stern's mother and one of Joe Stern's three grandmothers. I am the one he calls Nonna. I am the lucky mother-in-law of my special daughter-in-law, Leanne. Together David and Leanne have been a rock for Barbara and the boys. I am not here to speak about them, but rather about Bob.

I met Bob in 1967 when we worked together at the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute in...

As a child growing up with his oldest son, I always enjoyed going over to Dr. Stern's home because he was funny, enjoyed sports and didn't mind a bunch of kids tearing his backyard up playing whiffle ball...within reason.

As and adult, I realize what a gift Dr. Stern had. He possessed the ability to be "one of the guys" without ever sacrificing his role as respected father figure. That's a difficult role to manage, but he seemed to do this with such ease that there's no doubt...

Dear Bob:
As you know, we really got to know each other when we became partners at Pajaro. You were my closest "partner" of the five, and you became a close friend. We shared our second marriages and the joys of being fathers of children from current and previous marriages.
We also were partners in the "humanistic medical group," one which was far ahead of its time with the approach to caring for the whole human being. And, we got to know ourselves better, and also each other. I...

Dear Bob,
I only remember the happy times our families shared at Pajaro. And the year Daniel and Gabrielle were born; the fights over the bean bag; Larry the lobster; our wonderful political discussions; and of course the Humanistic Medical group. I remember your caring, concern and joy in your family. You are missed.
Fondly, Suzanne

We remember Bob as a devoted father, loving husband, and a friend that was fun to be around. We will miss him and send Barbara and the family our prayers.

Dear Bob,
I always looked forward to your review of the latest movie and how you adored your grandson. Even after knowing you for so long you could still tease me and I would take you seriously. You had to leave everyone way too early and you will be missed very much.
Sincerely, Cricket

I am really going to miss Dr. Stern. He was the father of a very good friend - but in many ways, he was "one of the guys".

I got to know Dr. Stern almost 18 years ago, and I remember the first time I met him he joked that he played LB with Dick Butkus at Illinois. Since that time, we shared many more laughs, including several pre-parties before Stanford football games, trips to Pajaro Dunes, and summer barbeques at Fair Oaks. He had the best sense of humor of any person I ever...

He was what every physician should aspire to be - with such a boundless capacity for understanding, and appreciation that those who met him were lovingly guided, inspired, convinced of their own worth and inevitably changed for the better. The world was greatly blessed by his presence and is deeply saddened by his loss.
Sincerely,
B. Dahlquist