Dr. Robert J. Lowe

Dr. Robert J. "Bob" Lowe

Bob Lowe passed away on June 4, 2025, in Southern California, leaving a legacy of love, service, and surgical excellence as a general, vascular, and transplant surgeon, husband, father, colleague, and friend.

Born in northern Wisconsin, Bob considered both Wisconsin and New Mexico home, living in Albuquerque for over 50 years. He earned a BS in Biochemistry (1970) and an MD (1974) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife, Elena Spielman at the "Kerk" eating cooperative adjacent to campus. They married in 1976 and remained closely connected to their UW friends, attending the Kerk's annual "Big Chill" reunion for over two decades.

Bob completed his general surgery residency at University of New Mexico Hospital. In 1980, he joined Surgical Associates, a private surgery practice affiliated with Presbyterian, St. Joseph, and Lovelace Hospitals. Surgical Associates was known for handling complex and unusual cases; in 2000, Bob and his partners pioneered laparoscopic donor nephrectomies in New Mexico. Bob later joined the surgical staff of Presbyterian Healthcare Services and served as the Surgical Medical Director for the Renal Transplant Program. Bob was deeply respected in his field.

A quiet but committed philanthropist, Bob supported environmental causes, international aid groups such as UNICEF, and programs for training and supporting medical professionals. He believed in global responsibility, sustainability, and advancing medicine.

Bob and Elena raised two children, Michael and Jessica. He is survived by his wife, children, and three sisters: Margaret Venz, Susan Brabender, and Sara Roush.

An avid car enthusiast, Bob was the go-to source for friends seeking advice before a purchase. He loved road trips in his 32' RV, hiking, skiing, reading (especially car magazines), traveling, and animals, particularly pugs, with Monty and Ramsey holding special places in the family.

Bob will be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, surgical skill, coining hilarious nicknames, and loyalty to the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He courageously fought pancreatic cancer for over 10 years. In 2024, he was delighted to be able to attend the 50th anniversary reunion of his UW medical school class.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Los Poblanos Inn, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW. Friends are encouraged to share their stories.