Robert Lindsay M.D.

1949 - 2024

Robert Lindsay M.D.

August 11, 2024

Boise, Idaho - Robert E Lindsay "Doc Bob" passed away on August 11, 2024 from COPD at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise with wife Jane, daughter Jenna and son Ryan at his bedside.

Bob was born April 24, 1949 in northern Indiana to Edna and Dick Lindsay and was raised in Chesterton Indiana. He had an idyllic childhood and would often ride his bike the mile to the beach at Dune's State Park on Lake Michigan. He grew up loving sports and played throughout his youth despite being the smallest kid in his class and he excelled academically. He graduated from Chesterton High in 1967 and attended Purdue University, earning a 5 year bachelors degree in pharmacy in 1972. He then entered Indiana University School of Medicine while working as a retail pharmacist. In 1976 he graduated, married Jane Griffin and moved to Portland, Oregon for pediatrics residency training.

Upon completion of the pediatrics training program he moved to Boise, Idaho in 1979. His son Ryan was born shortly after and his daughter Jenna followed in 1982. Bob was heavily involved in family life much of which centered on sports: being the coach, family supporter and, most importantly of all, Boise State Broncos fan. He managed the Crane Creek Country Club swim team, coached soccer and-his favorite-basketball. He strove to impart the fundamentals of the game, but knew that winning was pretty fun too! He took his family on sports trips all over the Northwest and even across the USA and was a loud supporter of his kids track and soccer teams. Shortly after to moving to Boise, he and Jane donated money to help build what was then called the Boise State Pavillion-now ExtraMile Arena--and for over 40 years was one of the Broncos biggest fans in basketball and in football. The first Fiesta Bowl win was his favorite victory. The loss to Nevada in 2010 he considered the most heartbreaking defeat. He was there for both. He also enjoyed playing golf with his friends. Additionally, he loved to take the family on vacations and just spend time together at home.

The most central aspect of Bob's identity was being a physician-he didn't call himself Dr. Bob for nothing. After a short stint working with a group of pediatricians he went into solo practice, starting Ada Pediatrics in 1980. Over his more than 40 years there he cared for many thousands of children until he fully retired at the end of 2023. Many of his patients grew up, had kids of their own and brought those children to see him as well (it made him feel very old when THOSE kids grew up and began bringing their kids, too). He loved being a pediatrician. He loved the long hours and especially in his younger days he often "lived" at the hospital-staying up all night if needed when newborns required life-saving care just after birth. He was dedicated to the lifelong requirement for continued learning and was an amazing diagnostician. It's so often that a former patient will relay how Dr. Bob saved their life by making the correct diagnosis of their condition. But his greatest joy was seeing his children grow up and join the practice. First Ryan joined in 2013 as a Pediatrician. Then upon his full retirement Jenna joined as Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. It filled him with pride knowing that he had built a family legacy that would endure after his passing that was dedicated to the health and care of children in the community.

Bob's biggest regret was smoking. He started as teen and it had a hold on him throughout his whole life, despite quitting multiple times. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was finally quitting prior to the birth of his grandchildren Griffin Gere and Riley Lindsay in 2019. Alas, he did not quit in time to avoid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Over time his condition worsened until it became very debilitating during the last year of his life. Coming to grips with old age was a struggle but in the end he passed peacefully surrounded by his family.

He was loving. He was loved. He will be sorely missed. There might be many doctors named Bob but there will only every be one "Dr. Bob."

He was preceded in death by his parents and his friends Bill Shandro, Dave Terrell and Mark Roby.

A special thanks to Ada Pediatrics head nurse Stephanie Scott who guided us through Bob's final day providing loving, nurturing care. Also thanks to Jacob Gere and Laura Lindsay for their support throughout.

An Open House to celebrate Bob's life will be held from 4-7 pm on 9/14 at Crane Creek Country Club. Stop by and have a Dr. Bob (vodka, soda, squeeze of lime, ring the rim and throw the lime away) and say hi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to YMCA youth sports programs in Dr. Bob's name.