Robert B. Shapiro

1936 - 2025

Robert B Shapiro

June 1, 1936 - May 9, 2025

Dr. Robert B. Shapiro, 88, a dedicated physician, veteran, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully in Green Valley, Arizona after a long battle with heart and kidney failure.

Robert will be remembered for his curiosity, tenacity, helpfulness, intellect, and service. There are hundreds of pictures of him laughing and he loved a good time. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he helped.

He was born in depression-era New York City to a Jewish father and Catholic mother. This upbringing is the likely origin of two of his defining traits: tolerance for different beliefs and intense frugality. He was a passionate learner and earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, his medical degree from SUNY Downstate, internship at Kaiser in San Franscisco, before completing his formal training as a child psychiatrist at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka. Medicine was his lifelong passion--as a student, physician, and patient. He was thrilled by the intellectual challenge of a career which spanned a golden age of discovery and innovation in health care.

He served as president of the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association, was a proud member of the American Psychiatric Association honor society and a founding member of the Madison Psychiatric Associates where he served patients for 45 years. He loved to teach resident physicians at the University of Wisconsin. He continued to serve youth in retirement, volunteering with the Dane County Court and at Coulee Connections alternative school. He emphasized "seeing what matters" for patients and not treating mental illness with medication alone. He was deeply committed to helping others, and his patients and colleagues often remarked on his exceptional empathy and tireless dedication.

After completing internship, Bob enlisted with the US Air Force in 1962 as flight surgeon with the 8th tactical fighter wing. He would proudly tell us of the honors and awards his unit received, however he held top secret clearance and much of his time in Southeast Asia was untold. Eventually, his military service brought him to Japan where he met his beloved wife, Barbara of Fond du Lac, WI, while she was teaching English on base.

Beyond his professional life, Robert avidly pursued a wide array of interests. He was an Eagle Scout and was active in scouts for his two boys. One of his favorite questions was "Why?". He was an avid reader, known for reading multiple newspapers and loved having intellectual discussions over Perkins coffee and waffles. He enjoyed working with tools and wood working. His garage and basement held testament to his resourcefulness and love for fixing broken things.

Robert and Barbara raised a family and worked in Madison, Wisconsin, but their love was "Up North". What started as a tar paper shack has, over the decades, become a place known for laughter, projects, and playing on the lake. He never let inexperience get in the way of trying something new. His sailing endeavors earned the nick name "Skipper Bob" from the neighbors who routinely had to rescue him and his capsized boat. He loved the adventure of travel and explored the four corners of the world. He found joy and perspective in experiencing other cultures.

He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara (2009). He spent the next 16 years in the companionship of his loving and caring partner, Dianne Ruch of Green Valley, AZ, and his devoted canine, Hazel.

He is survived by his two sons, Dr. Stephen Shapiro, and Richard Shapiro; his grandsons, Jacob and Sidney; His sister, Ruth Sternfels of New York, NY; and loving family including Keli Shapiro, Jeff Stoffel, Pam Kaufman, Barbara Nick, and Kate Lowman.

A formal memorial service will not be held. Donations in his honor can be made to Doctors Without Borders, Coulee Connections in La Crosse, WI, and the Gundersen Medical Foundation.