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ROBERT WALDBAUM Obituary

WALDBAUM--Robert S., M.D. Robert S. Waldbaum M.D., 84, passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family. He was beloved, respected and admired by friends, family, patients, colleagues and all who knew him for his warmth, compassion, integrity and generosity. His cup was never half full, but rather it runeth over. He was bigger than life with an incredible lust for living. A lifelong New Yorker, Robert entered Columbia University at the age of 15 as a Ford Foundation Scholar, graduating with honors. He attended Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons where he was a member of AOA, the national medical honor society, and was the President of his class. He proudly served as a naval surgeon with the Second Battalion Third Marine Division, an experience he cherished throughout his life. He was a surgical resident at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and a urological resident at New York Hospital/Weill Cornell. Dr. Waldbaum was the founding Chairman of the Department of Urology at North Shore University Hospital, where he was at the helm for more than 30 years. He also served as the Chairman of the Medical Board and a Trustee of North Shore LIJ Health System (now Northwell). He was the founding partner and President of Urology Associates, a private urology practice for over 35 years. He was also the Chairman of the Urology Section of the Academy of Medicine. He was committed to the American Urological Association, serving as the President of the New York Section, on the Board of Directors and as the National Historian. Dr. Waldbaum was the recipient of many honors and lifetime achievement awards including the Lavengood Distinguished Service Award from the American Urological Association and the Lattimer Award from the National Kidney Foundation. In addition, North Shore LIJ and Dr. Waldbaum's patients endowed a chair in his honor, the Waldbaum Gardner Professorship in Urology. Robert loved exotic travel, skiing, tennis, golf, swimming, running, gardening, reading and music, but his greatest passion was for his family. He is survived by the love of his life, Dr. Ruth Waldbaum, with whom he shared a fairy tale marriage and traveled the world, his beloved daughters, Nicole Moser, Alexandra "Ali" Kinnie, and Hillary Waldbaum, the grandchildren he adored, Cameron and Charlotte Moser and Emma and Jack Kinnie, as well as his sons-in-law, Michael Moser and Bob Kinnie, the sons he never had. He is also survived by his loving sister, Myra Stark, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marvin and Shellie Pomerantz, and nieces and nephew, Lisa, Dana, Victoria and Brian.

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

Published by New York Times on Jan. 31, 2023.

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5 Entries

Joe waldbaum

December 23, 2025

I am Bob´s first cousin, eight years younger and am writing to share some memories.

When I was about eight, I went to a seder at his parents´ Brooklyn home. They lived upstairs from his grandparents, the Millers. It was a challenge for his grandmother to walk up the 12 or so steps to the 2nd floor. I still remember Bob stood by her side, slightly behind her, holding her hand the entire way. He gently offered encouragement and praise as she made each step with difficulty and then had to rest a while. It took him at least ten minutes, maybe more, to do this.

Later, to keep my antsy self on the couch, he recited two Edgar Allen Poe stories to me from his memory: The Tell-tale Heart and the Purloined Letter. I was transfixed. I went home and read everything I could get my hands on by Poe. (I ended up becoming known for reciting Poe´s stories and poems to class mates.)

In 1957, when I was ten, I went to Camp HES (Hebrew Educational Society) where he was head counselor and very much the BMOC. He came to tuck me in in my bunk on my first night. It was my first sleep away experience and I very much needed that.

In my twenties, he generously paid for tickets for us to go to several boxing shows. We actually saw Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden. We had great seats and that is a most treasured memory.

Most of all, he always greased the way for my parents when they were at hospitals and he was on staff. I took my Mom to be admitted once and the nurse looked at her chart and said to another "This is a special." He always found time to visit them and their stays were significantly more comfortable and they received better attention than they would have otherwise. I will remain forever grateful to him for those kindnesses.

As his sister Myra once said, every female counselor at Camp HES worshipped the ground he walked on.

I was lucky to have him as my cousin.

Joe Waldbaum
[email protected]
12/23/25

Frank Napoli

March 22, 2023

I am so sad to hear Dr Waldnaum has passed. Rest in Peace Bob , we all will miss you, God Bless,

Bill Lynch

February 1, 2023

Bob was the ultimate gentleman and a class act. He will be missed dearly.

Allan Brooks

February 1, 2023

Bob and I were very close as counselors at camp HES in Harriman park NY. For two wonderful summers at this very special children´s camp. He was a dynamic and charismatic leader and a highly regarded athlete as well. I am deeply saddened by his loss. Allan Brooks

Mary Lou Cannata

January 31, 2023

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Waldbaum. I was honored to work at Urology Associates over 30 years ago. He was an amazing presence.

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