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Robert O'Brien Obituary
Dr. Robert Emmett O'Brien
1966 - 2014
Dr. Robert E. O'Brien passed away on April 21 at San Francisco General Hospital, following a brave struggle with a severe brain injury. He was 47 years old.
Loving husband to Colette (née Harner) and devoted father of Emily (16), Jack (15), Bridget (9) and Audrey (7), he enjoyed spending time with his large family.
An accomplished forensic psychiatrist in private practice, Dr. O' Brien served as Director of Psychiatry at St. Mary's Medical Center; he also worked at the Sister Mary Philippa Clinic at SMMC, helping patients with HIV. He graduated from Marquette University in 1988 and completed medical school at Loyola University in Chicago. He served his residency at Northwestern University and his fellowship at UCSF.
Dr. O'Brien is survived by his mother, Peggy O'Brien (neé Andrade), sisters Patricia, Margaret, Jennifer, and Megan, and his brother Timothy. He was also a loving uncle and godfather to many nieces and nephews.
Robert was passionate about music, art and film. He loved the Grateful Dead, attending live music shows, watching movies, collecting art and various curiosities. His extraordinary intellect and capacity for understanding the mind's complexities were remarkable; he will be remembered and missed for how he helped others understand themselves.
A rosary will be said on Thursday evening, 7pm at St. Brendan's Church and his funeral will be on Friday morning, 10am at St. Ignatius. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dr. Robert E. O'Brien educational foundation; details will follow in the coming days.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert O'Brien
Sponsored by anonymous.
Mina Markovich
September 17, 2014
Dr. O'Brien was an extraordinary therapist and a friend everybody should be lucky to have. My thoughts go to his family.
Lea Koski
June 30, 2014
R.I.P. Robert <3
June 27, 2014
Robert was an extraordinary person that was always generous with his time and friendship. We shared a lot of laughter as well as profound conversations We both loved Rock and Roll as well as the posters and enjoyed discussing the music, art and artists that went along with the subject. I will miss those times.
My Hopi friends teach that the spirit and soul never die. They continue on, just the "vehicle" that transports the spirit & soul changes. So Robert has begun his new beautiful voyage. His spirit & soul is in the wind that blows across your face, the new leaves on the tree, flowers blooming, the first ray of sunrise, and the rays of the sunset. The new baby birds, the first drops of fresh rain. He has begun this beautiful journey, a journey we will all someday take..... although this is a day of sadness, the Hopi believe it is a time of celebration. My prayers of peace I send out to you Robert, as well as your family and all those that mourn your passing.... God bless you and may you eternally "Rest in Peace" ..... from your "poster-pal" Rusty Goldman
Jack Bishop
June 7, 2014
To the entire O'Brien family, My thoughts and prayers go to each and every family member. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank-you Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien for your years of compassionate service to those in need. Jack Bishop
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eddie walshe
May 12, 2014
Doctor o Brien thank you for being a great doctor and friend to me in my darkest days of hopless addiction. You never gave up on me and now I have over a year clean and soberand happy. My deepest sympathy and condolence to you family. I will miss you very much, I know you are somewhere great,
Edward walshe
Larry Strong
May 9, 2014
Dr.O'Brien was a remarkable and amazing Doctor who was my confidant and nothing short of a hero to me. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family as well as his other patients. His sort is all too rare and he will be sorely missed. Thank you Doctor for your understanding, your compassion and outright assistance in some of my darkest hours.
April 30, 2014
Dr. O'Brien was the best psychiatrist I have ever had and helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
My prayers go out to his family... I am so sorry for their loss.
Robert Lasky, Patient at Saint Mary's, Sister Mary Phillipa Health Clinic
God Bless
April 27, 2014
On behalf of our entire family, we send our sincerest condolences to the O'Brien family on the sudden passing of Robert. It has left us speechless. Your family has been so kind to us. Deanna and Peter Gumina, Pete, Elena, and Gregory
Nina Anne Greeley
April 27, 2014
My mother, Helen Anne, was a patient of Dr. O'Brien's. Both she and I were deeply saddened to hear of Dr. O'Brien's untimely death. He was a great help to us in past years as my mother's health declined. We had some lovely conversations with him about eclectic topics (he gave me some wonderful insights about Melville, for example). He spoke often of his family with love. The O'Brien family is in our hearts and our prayers.
gary galarza
April 26, 2014
Thk u Dr O'Brien for what u did and how u help me my deepest condolences to the O'Brien family may god watch over him
Kathy Simmons
April 26, 2014
I was a patient of Dr. O'Brien's at the St. Mary Philippa clinic for the past 9 years. The first thing I said to him at our first appt. was, "I want to have a lobotomy." He took me seriously and replied, "Let's try some other options first." Over the past 9 years he walked with me as I lived with the highs and lows of depression. He helped me tremendously. My sympathies to the O'Brien family.
Elizabeth Sweeney Aguilar
April 26, 2014
Margaret and the O'Brien family-
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May you find strength in each other in the days ahead.
Patricia Rodriguez
April 25, 2014
God bless you and your family through these very difficult times.
Pete Curran
April 25, 2014
Robert, I will miss our talks in the cafeteria. You always had a good story to tell, and knew what was important.
Kevin Giraldo
April 25, 2014
I am very sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing him at St.Marys.
April 25, 2014
Dearest Collette! Although I never met your amazing husband, I am deeply saddened for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences and my prayers are with you and your beautiful children. Georgia Lukacs
April 24, 2014
This is something we can never be prepared for or understand. We surround all of you with loving thoughts & prayers.
Richard & Jan Fiore
Carol Grewal
April 24, 2014
Please know that Robert's kind spirit will always be present. Prayers and condolences to Colette, Emily, Jack, Bridget and Audrey. Always in our hearts and forever in our minds
Michele, Jim and Greg West
April 24, 2014
Very truly sorry for your loss. We hold Collette, Jack and the entire family in our prayers.
Frida Goldstein-Friend
April 24, 2014
My sincere condolences to Mrs. O'Brien and her children. What a wonderful person Dr. O'Brien was. My sympathies to Marcel and his family fo this loss.
April 23, 2014
We are shocked at your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Bartels-Lagomarsino Family from NDV.
Catherine Brennan
April 23, 2014
So sorry for your loss.
Elaine Moore
April 23, 2014
Megan: My heartfelt sympathy, love, and prayers are with you in the loss of your brother. God bless you and each member of the O'Brien family.
Ron Rubia.
April 23, 2014
My condolences to the O'Brien family. Robert, like his father, was a great man.
Shari and Chris Cassidy
April 23, 2014
Our words cannot express the depth of shock and sadness over your loss. We knew Dr. O'Brien as patients, calling him "Saint Robert O'Brien" for being, literally, a lifesaver. He was a man who clearly loved his family and his life and his extremely wide areas of interests was always amazing. We send you, his family, our most profound condolences.
Christopher Anderson & Family
April 23, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and prayers during this difficult time.
Aaron A.
April 23, 2014
I am so saddened to learn of Dr. O'Brien's passing. He helped me tremedously during a very difficult time and I will remain forever grateful. My experience with him is, in part, what motivated me to pursue my education and training as a clinical psychologist. My heart goes out to his family and children, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Scullion Family
April 23, 2014
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you! So precious a life - devoted husband, father, brother and son. May you find peace in the coming months and years.
~ Erich and Gilbert Nagle
April 23, 2014
May the Lord hold all of the wonderful O'Brien's forever close in heart. God Bless all you.
Johh, Heather & Jack Sampior
April 23, 2014
We send our heartfelt condolences to the entire family. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Carol Slade
April 23, 2014
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy and loving prayers to your family. He is in a blessed place.
Kate Devine
April 23, 2014
We have lit a candle and have placed it on the shelves of our hearts for Robert and his dear family
Laura Baker
April 23, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire O'Brien Family.
April 23, 2014
Our though's are with you all.
Joanne, Tricia, & Gena
Koreen Harner-Cea
April 23, 2014
Robert- you left us all too early. The loss of your presence is irreplaceable in all who had the blessing of knowing you. What we have now in rememberance of you is the impact you had on our lives; each one so unique as the individual. I personally can never forget your gentle manner seen in your kind eyes, and your sense of humor I can still hear in your laugh. To me you were more than a good husband, father and good brother-in-law and Uncle; you were a good mensch to us all. Rest in peace Robert...
Carmen Goodin
April 22, 2014
My heartfelt condolences to the O'Brien family
April 22, 2014
ON behalf of the Vlahos family from NDV please accept our deepest sympathies on Roberts passing. In Greek we say soul is eternal and it is. My prayers and thoughts are with your family
The Doctor is IN!
Rita Polidori O'Brien
April 22, 2014
I will keep you in my heart forever, dear Robert. You have taught me so much about life and how to get along in the world; I wouldn't be the same person without your healing brilliance. Thank you for always lending an ear, and giving your heart. See you soon. xoxoxoxo Rita
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