Robert Armstrong
Jul 22, 1938 - Jun 17, 2014
Resident of Los Gatos
Dr. Robert Armstrong died peacefully on Tuesday, June 17 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his three children, Michael, Christopher, and Danielle; his partner Bonnie; his former wives, Janet, and Marsha. He was a passionate astronomer, world traveler, and teacher.
Dr. Armstrong operated an Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine clinic in Los Gatos. He mentored countless entrants into the medical field and wrote many treatises on infectious disease. A "Doctor's Doctor," Robert is remembered for his humility and professionalism, for being a great clinician, and for his teaching at Stanford, SCVMC, and El Camino Hospital. His guidance and his compassion will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 15 at 4PM at the Gateway Pavilion at Vasona Park.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jun. 29, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Armstrong

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

31 Entries

Sheila Nia

June 23, 2021

He was a grate human being with kind heart, beside being one of the best and the most knowledgeable infectious disease specialist, he saved my brother life twenty five years ago when he was given 2% chance of living.
He still has a special place in our family heart,
Sheila

Nancy Clark

January 9, 2019

Condolences to his family. He was a wonderful teacher and doctor to me when I worked for a short time in infection control at GSH. He was very kind to check up on me during my post operative back surgery in 2000. To me he was a real genius, in his occupation, but also a very kind human being. I'm just finding out about his passing. As I had moved out of CA years ago. Nancy Clark RN.

Lisa Trejo

September 29, 2016

Dr. Armstrong I'm so sad you're no longer with us...I have so much to thank you for, I suffered Viral Meningitis four times and I remember the day you walked into my room at Good Sam and you said, Enough is enough young lady" I wished I couldve seen you to thank you with a big hug..You saved my life Dr. Armstrong. I will never forget your kind hearted words to me. You spoke to me as if I was your kid, and you told me a story about a pregnant patient of yours who suffered with the same disease as I, and I never doubted your choice of meds for me to take the rest of my life, and don't worry I still take it just like you said i should, so every day I take that med I will remember you and know that because of you I live today and will always be grateful for your expertise and kind heart. Thank you Dr. Armstrong may you rest peacefully in paradise.

Lisa Trejo

Maureen Murray Rugala

May 16, 2016

So sad to find out about Dr. Armstrong. It was a privilege taking care of his patients at Los Gatos and Good Samaritan. He was a joy to work with. God Rest his soul.

April 19, 2015

You saved my life ,Such a great ,passionate doctor..........

Luis Garcia

September 7, 2014

Dr Armstrong saved my life. He was a gentle, compassionate and humble human being. He will not be forgotten.

John Nunes

August 29, 2014

Dr. Armstrong saved my life in 2001 by diagnosing my necrotizing fasciitis in the emergency room of Good Samaritan Hospital when nobody else could figure out what was going on and they called him for help. I was dying with a blood pressure of 40/30 and he figured out what was the matter with me in about 10 minutes. He gently checked up on me every day while I was in intensive care after that. He was a brilliant doctor and human being. I went to his office and gave him a bottle of wine in appreciation after I recovered and was overcome with his humility. I was very distressed to hear of his tragic passing.

Gable Alfano

August 7, 2014

Dr. Armstrong was one of my mom's doctors. I had the pleasure of meeting him when my mom was in the hospital. He was very kind and I'm sure he will be missed by many many people. Rest in Peace.

August 5, 2014

Dr. Armstrong saved my father's life twice! Not only was he a brilliant doctor, he had compassion for his patients and their families. I feel like I have lost a great friend and protector. Rest in peace, dear man.

Lesley Macfarlane.

July 18, 2014

Dr Armstrong saved my life. He always showed respect to both patient and staff.A real gentleman and a role model.

Kathy Chesley

July 16, 2014

I met Dr. Armstrong twice. Once when he took care of my nephew when he had to be hospitalized for which I will always be thankful. The second occasion was for myself when my own doctor was out of town. Physicians of his specialty are hard to find and I have been fortunate to find two, one of course being Dr. Armstrong.

Julie Higuchi

July 14, 2014

Robert saved my husbands life and for that our family will forever be grateful. He was very calming and caring in such a time of crisis - he will never be forgotten.

Loree Doyle

July 14, 2014

I was so very saddened to learn of Dr. Armstrong's passing. Dr. Armstrong was not my doctor, but my mother's, for about a 5 year time period from before she was diagnosed (many could not diagnose her. Dr. Armstrong did what everyone else couldn't) until her death. Her last hospital stay was long and drawn out and Dr. Armstrong came in almost daily to check on her. Our family trusted this man. My mother trusted him. His compassion and absolute brilliance were things I will never forget. He went above and beyond, always. We have all lost a fabulous doctor and human being.

Lon Fenchel

July 13, 2014

Robert was a great guy and my Doc for about 30 years. He was really easy to get along with and we did a lot of kidding back and forth. After reading the obit here I never knew he grew up in my hometown of Berkeley. If he did go to Berkeley High we were classmates as I graduated in 1957. Robert will be a huge loss to the medical field here in Los Gatos.

Debbie Israel

July 8, 2014

Dr Armstrong saved my life. It is a debt I can't repay. May his family find comfort in knowing what a brilliant and compassionate physician he was.

July 7, 2014

DR ARMSTRONG WAS AN AMAZING MAN AS WELL AS MD. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS HIS PATIENTS.I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING HIS PATIENT. BRILLANT MIND!

Patricia Kot

July 7, 2014

I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr Armstrong's passing. He helped me figure out my spinal infection when Stanford doctors could not. We found the correct antibiotic and he followed me for 1 1/2 years until the infection was gone. I have never met such a dedicated, brilliant, compassionate, and caring Dr. He is certainly on a pedestal in my eyes and will be missed. The Bay area has lost a true hero. Blessings to his family.

Tommy Newby

July 4, 2014

The day I heard that i have a potentially deadly virus, Robert invited me to his office just to talk! Robert helped me find my health, again! In the early days of my disease, I didn't have insurance, but he never refused to see me. Janet got some extra dance lessons, but he never charged me for a visit! Robert was a brilliant Doctor and a genuine person and friend!

Tommy Newby

July 4, 2014

The day I found out I was HIV positive, Robert invited me to his office just to talk! Those early years I had no insurance. Robert saw me whenever I needed and never charged me a penny! Of course, Janet got some extra dance lessons! Robert taught me how to care about my health, again, and with so few words! Robert was a brilliant doctor and a genuine person!

Ralph Porter

July 3, 2014

One of the nicest, supportive doctor's I've ever met.....helped me through a bad part of my life. I'll always be indebted to his professionalism! After a week of hospitalization for C-diff, he took me in almost immediately for post-hospital care. No matter when I called, he returned it within 15 minutes (almost unheard of today).

Ralph Porter

Beth Knoll

July 3, 2014

I was so saddened to hear of Robert's passing. Although I had only tangential contact with him, his grace and humor and intelligence lit up the lives he touched. My heart is with his family and friends. Peace be with you all.

Sandra Dolmatch

July 3, 2014

You saved my life 3 times over the last 15 years from serious infections. Your knowledge, considerate bedside manner, and devotion to me and all of your patients made you an outstanding doctor. There is a jewish saying "If you save one life you save the world". You saved many lives for our world. We will miss you and your countenance.

virginia slagley

July 2, 2014

I remember Dr Armstrong sitting at the bedside of a dying hospital employee who was alone. He was a remarkable, caring physician. My condolences to all who loved him.

June 30, 2014

You were there for our pediatric patients. We thank you for all you did and miss you. Drs. Don and Laura Stemmle

Kristine Ferguson

June 29, 2014

I'm saddened to hear of Dr. Armstrong's passing. I am a retired nurse who worked at Los Gatos Community Hospital and Good Samaritan. I remember him from when I was a nurse and also as a patient. My physician referred me to him when he was a new Doctor at Los Gatos. I had a fever and an unexplainable rash for over a week, which only he was able to diagnose as measles. According to him, I was one of his first patients. He was an eager physician and very kind. He was always looking out for his patients' best interests.
My sincere sympathy to his family for their profound loss.

Marilyn Foley

June 29, 2014

For Dr. Robert Armstrong M.D.

My esteemed physician, my understanding confidant, and my treasured friend,
I offer you this quotation:

“And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath of its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? “
Kahlil Gibran from “The Prophet.”

I won't know which is you, up among the stars you loved, but until I cease breathing, I will be stargazing knowing that you are there. Marilyn Foley

Thomas Erickson

June 29, 2014

Dr. Armstrong, You were there for me when my knee got infected. You were kind and reassuring, and I am grateful for you and your skills in helping me recover.

Lisa Riddle

June 29, 2014

I was so saddened today to hear of Dr. Armstrong's passing. He was magnificent. Recently, he saved my father's life and was very perplexed at his illness. He left no rock unturned and got to the bottom of my dad's infectious disease. I will be forever grateful to him for saving dad's life. He will be missed and never forgotten.

Maureen Butt

June 28, 2014

I worked with Dr. Armstrong at Good Samaritan Hospital for the last 25 years. He was a very dedicated physician who put everything into his practice. He spent endless hours getting to the bottom of his patients illness and was always on top of medicine. His gentle and kind mannerism always put his patient and their family at ease no matter how life threatening their illness was. I will remember him as an expert in his field, always teaching others and as a colleague. He was always approachable and confident with the staff who assumed care for his patient. He was a friend and will be greatly missed by all who have been privileged to have had him in their lives. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

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