Dr. Robert William Schrier

Dr. Robert William Schrier

Dr. Robert William Schrier, age 84, passed away peacefully in hospice care at home in Potomac, Maryland on January 23, 2021. He was surrounded by his family, listening to his children, grandchildren and friends share their favorite stories about him and, for a time, he held a cherished basketball. Dr. Schrier's love of the game of basketball provided him with the tools to become one of the greatest physician-scientist-teachers of his generation: his colleagues often referring to him as a "giant" in the field of medicine. An international leader in the battle against kidney disease and an expert in patient-oriented research in acute kidney injury, Bob Schrier's uncompromising and competitive quest for excellence and public welfare spanned a career of over half a century. His commitment to "team" culture was a key driver of his prodigious accomplishments in patient care, research, leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. He was an extraordinary combination of - per the sports analogy - player, coach, and general manager.

Bob was born and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Helen Moynahan, a nurse, and Arthur Schrier, a printer who died when Bob was just three years old. Brought up by his mother and stepfather, James Devore, Bob and his older brother, Dick, spent their youth playing ball according to his younger sister Gerry-Ann. It was on the neighborhood baseball diamonds and basketball courts that he developed characteristics that would serve him well in life: a love of competition, a desire to achieve excellence, and the ability to appreciate the worth of individuals regardless of their background or station in life.

After attending Thomas Carr Howe High School in Indianapolis, Schrier was invited to the Brooklyn Dodgers spring training camp; but he chose to attend DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where he would be an outstanding scholar-athlete and still holds the basketball record for the highest scoring average of a four-year player. He also met Barbara Lindley, the love of his life and his wife of almost 62 years. Upon graduating he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study anthropology in Mainz, Germany. This experience ignited in him a love of travel and a thirst for knowledge of other cultures. He spoke fluent German and later, when lecturing in a foreign country, learned phrases so that he could greet his audience in their own language.

His medical training at Indiana University, University of Washington, Harvard and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research prepared him for the contributions he would make as a faculty member at University of California San Francisco and later University of Colorado where he was head of the Renal Division and then chairman of the Department of Medicine for 26 years.

During his career, Schrier was a prolific researcher. He was funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health for 45 years and authored over 1,000 scientific papers and edited or co-authored over 50 books, including three of the premier textbooks in nephrology. As a result of his achievements, he was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Schrier was also a respected leader, the only person to serve as President of the American Society of Nephrology, the International Society of Nephrology, and the National Kidney Foundation. His contributions in science and leadership were recognized with the highest honors given by the American College of Physicians, the Association of Professors of Medicine, and the American Society of Nephrology. As a Hoosier, he was especially proud to be in three Halls of Fame: Indiana Basketball, DePauw Athletic, and Indianapolis Public School.

Professor Schrier always felt gratified by mentoring hundreds of medical students, residents, and fellows. He often spent his weekends with young researchers at his kitchen table helping edit their papers for publication or presentation. He and his wife Barbara opened their home to faculty gatherings, potluck dinners, and basketball games. Trainees, many of them from other countries, became members of what became known as the "Colorado Family."

Bob Schrier considered his most important legacy his children and grandchildren who called him Baba. He stressed the lessons that he learned from sports, as well as the importance of education and travel. Dr. Bob not only had a great appetite for life in general, but he loved sweets. There was nothing he enjoyed more than taking his grandchildren for milkshakes or a hot fudge sundae.

Robert Schrier modeled his life after one of his favorite quotes of George Bernard Shaw: "Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask, why not." His dreams have empowered physicians and improved the lives of patients the world over.

When the Schrier family moved to Colorado in 1972, they fell in love with Aspen, and Dr. Schrier founded a renal conference there which has been a destination for nephrologists for over 46 years. A celebration of his life will be held in Aspen on Saturday, June 5th, with details forthcoming.

Robert William Schrier is survived by his wife Barbara Lindley Schrier; sister Gerry-Ann Hunter; sons David (Brenda Brautigam), Douglas (Paige Lee Baron), Derek (Cecily Cameron); daughter Denise Schrier Cetta (Michael ); son-in-law Scott Rape; grandsons Austin Rape, Matthew Schrier, Blake Schrier, Maximilian Cetta, Declan Cetta, Gage Schrier; granddaughters Ashley Zaslav (Jordan), Avery Lautmann (Nico), Courtney Schrier, Claire Schrier, Eloise Schrier, Francesca Cetta, Gigi Schrier; great granddaughter Zoe Zaslav; and great grandson Beckett Rape. He is predeceased by his brother Richard and daughter Deborah Schrier-Rape.

Donations honoring Bob's memory may be made to Montgomery Hospice: www.montgomeryhospice.org/donate.