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James Roberts Obituary
Jim was born February 9th, 1946, in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, son of Jane and George Roberts. He is survived by his children, Martha and Matthew Roberts, his grandchildren Eleanor Cronin and Liam Roberts, his brother George Roberts, his sister Mary Peterlin, nieces, nephews, family-in-law, and his partner Lydia Forte Roberts, to whom he was married for over 40 years.
Jim graduated from Lafayette College, and studied medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. He completed his internship at Highland General Hospital in Oakland, California, with residencies at The Medical College of Pennsylvania, and was a McNeil Scholar at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
Jim was a trailblazer in the field of Emergency Medicine, and was one of the first board-certified Emergency Medicine physicians in the world. He taught thousands of students via ED residency programs he built and led. He was a board-certified Toxicologist and worked with Philadelphia Poison Control Center for several decades. Jim was a medical expert witness and published a robust library of work. He was broadly recognized for his clinical practice, research, writing, and teaching. Jim was Chairman of the editorial board for Emergency Medicine News magazine (Wolters Kluwer) for almost 40 years. Jim's widely-read textbook, "Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care" (Elsevier) had seven editions.
Jim loved the outdoors, especially boating, fishing, and exploring his favorite waters off the Florida Keys. A memorial for Jim will be held this Fall, 2022. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Project Home (https://www.projecthome.org/).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Brian Greene
November 4, 2023
I learned more from this mans "pearls of wisdom" than any organized lecture or class. To work for, or more correctly with ,a giant in his profession was an honor. The only one not convinced of his greatness was himself. Grant eternal rest O Lord. Brian Greene RN CEN
Robert Corgan MD
October 19, 2022
I knew him as a kid growing up in Forty Fort. Our mothers were friends.
Requescam in pacem
Michael Rusli
October 13, 2022
Dr. Robert´s was a giant in his field. I had the pleasure of meeting him so many long years ago when I was an EM resident at MCP. Learned so much from him through his articles in EM News and his textbooks.
Always wondered where he had the energy to accomplish so much in just one lifetime.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Mike Rusli
Adrian D'Amico MD
September 12, 2022
RIP Dr. Roberts
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing you personally but I was always astonished at your constant contributions to Emergency Medicine and the creation of perhaps the best textbook in Medicine that I've ever used.
thank you
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James (and Linda) Amsterdam DMD MD MMM FACPE CCHP
September 6, 2022
RIP Jim. It was an honor to have been one of your students and then residents at MCP, fellow faculty at U of Cincinnati, and contributor to several editions of Clinical Procedures in EM. Our thoughts for Lydia and the kids. EM has lost the GOAT. Jim and Linda Amsterdam
Jason DeBonis
September 6, 2022
I am an ER physician in LA. I read and loved his EMN column and loved him for this column. I almost felt like I knew him without ever speaking to him. I am greatly saddened by his departure. RIP
Paul Boston
August 24, 2022
I am so very sorry Lydia for your loss. I always enjoyed meeting with Jim all those years as we crunched the numbers . We always had a good laugh and I truly enjoyed his company . I wish he had more time to enjoy all that life has to offer. My prayers are with you and the kids . Paul
Ingrid Llovera, MD
August 13, 2022
I was an emergency medicine resident at Medical College of Pennsylvania 1988-1991. Dr. Jim Roberts was by far the best teacher I had in emergency medicine. He always brought the residents to the bedside with every interesting case. I remember doing many shifts with him at Misericordia Hospital. He was a such a wonderful person as well. I have followed his articles in EM medicine with every issue. He will be truly missed and very fondly remembered.
Janis and Joannie - National Capital Bank
August 8, 2022
What a talented and admired doctor.
We only knew him for a short time at FoxHill but could tell he was a well admired man. Prayers go out to Lydia and the family.
Sharlene Kalender
July 29, 2022
Rest In Peace Dr Roberts. You have made an indelible mark on so many
Rose Bacher
July 27, 2022
I had the pleasure of being Jim´s secretary for the past 32 years. He was one of the smartest, kind and generous doctor that I know. Even though I haven´t seen you in a year I always enjoyed your random calls and text messages. Lydia, Martha and Matt I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Jim will definitely be missed!
RIP Jim
Rose & Bill
Jerris R. Hedges
July 26, 2022
A hui hou, Jim.
Some who read these messages will recognize that Jim and I collaborated as founding editors on one of the most used textbooks in emergency medicine. That textbook was a labor of love for both Jim and myself. We had different perspectives on how the book should be structured and written, but we resolved our differences. I always believed that without those differences, the book would have not received its international recognition and wide usage.
It has been my pleasure to be mentored by Jim as a resident at the (then) Medical College of Pennsylvania, to have innovated and created the textbook that would change emergency medicine internationally, and to have worked with Jim as a colleague and fellow faculty member at the University of Cincinnati.
Although I never got to fish with Jim, I consider myself blessed to have spent many weeks arguing, debating, creating and refining highly usable material that benefited countless emergency physicians and the patients these physicians have treated for nearly 40 years.
Jerris R. Hedges, MD
Dean, John A. Burns School of Medicine
University of Hawaii
Dianne Palomba
July 26, 2022
I am devastated that Jim has passed. He was a great person and wonderful to work for
Dianne Palomba
July 26, 2022
I am devastated that Jim passed away. I loved working with him within the research department
For several years. He was a wonderful person and physician
The medical world has lost a fabulous physician
Rest in peace Jim
Rebecca Anwar
July 26, 2022
To the Roberts family, I send my deepest condolences. Jim was a good friend and a truly intelligent and dedicated Emergency physician.
Stephen J Leitner MD
July 26, 2022
MCP EM resident finished program in 1980. Jim was the greatest physician I ever met...he knew everything, could do everything and could teach everything...plus he was a really nice guy.
Harvey and Gretchen Silverman
July 26, 2022
Ahhh, Jimbo....what good times and adventures we shared in the ED those many years ago. And those good times and adventures outside the ED, too. Dear friend for half a century. Miss you.
Suzanne Doyon, MD, MPH
July 26, 2022
Jim was my Medical Toxicology fellowship director in 1991-1993. He was a brilliant, accomplished, insightful physician-teacher, and a humble, courageous, caring human being. He brought out the best in people and made everyone around him shine. Jim also had a perfect sense of humor: as chairman he decided to open his mail every other day to see if it would make a difference (it didn't). He loved his family beyond measure. Lydia, Martha, Matthew--- Jim spoke of you constantly. I had lunch with Jim 4 years ago in Philadelphia, he still talked about his family with pride and love. He was exceptional. Rest in peace Jim.
mark josephs MD
July 26, 2022
I knew Jim in medical school. He was a true trailblazer and the most practical educator I ever met. I will miss him.
Grace Cox
July 25, 2022
Martha and loved ones, Dr. Roberts sounds like an great human being! My prayers and thoughts are with you.
John Mendelsohn MCP ED/Tox '95/'97
July 25, 2022
So sorry to hear of Jim's death (thank you Mike G.) - my deepest condolences to the Roberts' family. Jim had rare combination of brilliance, humanity, productivity and practicality. It's fair to say that he left an indelible lesson on every student/trainee he made contact with. You were the model Dr. for so many...
With sadness, J
Francis Fynnwilliams, M.D.
July 25, 2022
My sincerest sympathies to Dr. Roberts' family. He was the best teacher I ever had throughout my medical education especially during my Emergency Medicine Residency training at Medical College of Pennsylvania. He had a profound impact of whom I have become as a professional. Rest in peace "Jim Bob" !
Chris Colwell
July 25, 2022
What a beautiful message. I could not have said it better. Truly a legendary trailblazer!
Mary Roberts Peterlin
July 25, 2022
I miss you so much my dear brother. How was I so lucky to have two of the best brothers a girl could ever have. I´ll never ever forget your kindness, compassion and understanding. Rest In Peace Jim - love you.
David Pecora
July 25, 2022
Dr. Robert's: Your contributions to medicine are too numerous to mention. I am so grateful I was able to attend many of your presentations/lectures with EM & Acute Care series , read many of your articles, as well as utilizing your Procedures in EM text in the ER. You have directly & indirectly cared for many, many patients. Thank you for all that you have done for your fellow man.
Steven Davidson
July 25, 2022
I was his intern; he was my senior resident . . . the bond evolved and grew over nearly 50 years. He gave us all so much, I was fortunate to be along for some of that ride. May all of you who loved him, learned from and with him find comfort in the stories you will share. May his memory be for a blessing.
George Roberts, brother
July 25, 2022
To Jim: I can only say that I was so fortunate to have born your brother, that words can not express. I will never forget the many, many experiences we spent together growing up. All of them were only positive. I have no negative memories at all. And I want to know that I totally admired you and loved you for you truly amazing contributions you made to emergency medicine and to mankind. You were an inspiration to me and I know to many others, and mankind has truly lost a part of itself. May God please care for you with all the best. I loved you so much.
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