Robert Tadashi Shimizu

Robert Tadashi Shimizu, known to many as Bob, Shim, Dr. Shimizu, or Taddy, passed away at home in Lafayette, California on December 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86. Bob was a pediatrician in Lafayette for more than 35 years. Generations of childhoods passed through his care. He knew his patients by name and their parents by worry. He was a quarterback, a prankster, a cook who never let anyone leave hungry. Before all of it, he was a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He took care of people.

Bob was born on June 20, 1939, a Nisei, in San Francisco, to Yoshio and Toshi Takao Shimizu. He spent his earliest years in San Leandro with his parents and older brother, Paul. During World War II, Bob and his family were forcibly removed from their home and interned at Poston, Arizona-an experience that shaped him, though he rarely centered himself in the telling of it. After the war, the family relocated to Cincinnati, where Bob thrived. He was the star quarterback at Western Hills, leading the team to a legendary "City Championship" victory over Elder and later earning a place in the school's hall of fame. Game footage of number 33 in action with Bob's voice over can be found at youtu.be/6ssTKacmwM8. He was the President of the student government, and earned a reputation as an all-around good guy-friendships from those years lasted a lifetime.

Bob briefly attended the U.S. Naval Academy before transferring to the University of Cincinnati. It was there, on a blind date, that he met Judy Wheeler, the love of his life. They married, and Bob went on to medical school at the University of Cincinnati before completing his internship and chief residency at Children's Hospital Oakland, living in nearby Albany. Soon after, he served as a Major and physician in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he formed close friendships and collected stories he would happily retell for years.

When his service ended, Bob and Judy returned to the Bay Area and settled in Lafayette, where they raised their three children-Dan, Jenny, and Susie-and put down deep roots. Bob joined a pediatric practice in town and cared for local families for more than 35 years. His partners there became dear friends for life.He loved being part of the Lafayette community, both as a physician and as a neighbor.

Outside of work, Bob embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. He loved fly fishing for steelhead with his friends and Dan on the Trinity River; camping with the family in the Sawtooth Mountains; traveling; playing in his group's long-running "Jack Daniels" poker game, a 50-year tradition among doctors where the stakes never rose above a dime and a quarter; enjoying opera with Jenny; and rooting on the Warriors with Susie. He volunteered as a sports coach, writing tutor and PTA president.He was a talented and joyful cook, famous for welcoming everyone in and hosting generous gatherings-most notably the annual Christmas Eve party he and Judy hosted for their extended family and the dinners for new residents at Children's Hospital. Laughter, good food, and full tables were hallmarks of their home.

Later in life, Bob wrote a book titled "The Choice for Better Parenting", which espoused leading with kindness rather than discipline and gave guidance to many of his patients and friends. A lifelong learner to the core, he took many cooking classes (where he was repeatedly the star student), began taking art classes at 76, read voraciously, loved the theater, and rarely passed up a chance to attend a lecture. Bob was also an irrepressible prankster, perhaps never more so than the fake letter of fatherly advice he delivered on his 50th birthday-purportedly from his late father and full of ribald wisdom no dad would actually put in writing. He was also quietly generous, establishing a scholarship at UC Santa Cruz in his grandson Lakas's name, making major gifts to the Lawrence Hall of Science in honor of Judy and Lakas, and giving his time and support to the Writer's Coach Connection as both a writing coach and donor.

Above all else, Bob's wife, children and grandchildren were his greatest priority and his greatest joy. He lived with integrity, humor, and an open heart, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former patients, and the community he loved so much.

Bob is survived by his brother, Paul Hiroshi Shimizu of Baltimore; his son, Daniel Parreñas Shimizu and daughter-in-law Celine Parreñas Shimizu of Marina del Rey, and grandson Bayan Parreñas Shimizu; his daughter, Jenny Shimizu Risk and son-in-law Gerald Alan Risk of Hillsborough, and grandsons Matthew Machlachlan Risk and Daniel Patrick Risk; and his daughter, Susan Shimizu McCobb of San Francisco, and grandsons Ronin Clyde McCobb and Nolan Tadashi McCobb. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Judith Wheeler Shimizu, and his beloved grandson, Lakas Parreñas Shimizu.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Center in Lafayette.