Dr. Robert F. (Bob) Betts, age 88, of Rochester, NY, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024 in his residence with loving family by his side, just shy of his birthday. Bob was kind, warm hearted, outgoing, and devoted to his family and profession. He was always happy to serve as medical counsel for family and close friends. He was known for his puns and funny stories, which family and friends can recite verbatim due to their frequent retellings, a comfort to us now.
Son, husband, father, grandfather, doctor, professor, author, and Betts family croquet champion.
Pre-deceased by his parents, Frank and Phyllis, father and mother-in-law Leonard and Ruth Rutledge, sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Dick Hildreth, sisters-in-law Ronna Rocker and Desda (James) Fogg.
Survived by loving wife of 61 years Sherrill (Rutledge); sister Shirley Elson and husband Robert; son Christopher; daughter Stephanie Jamieson and husband Mark; daughter Valerie Salitan and husband Steve; grandchildren Hayley and Julia Betts; Adam, Nora, and Grant Jamieson; and Sara and Lauren Salitan.
Bob was born October 12, 1935 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and was the son of Frank and Phyllis Betts. He grew up in Fitchburg and Leominster, MA. After graduating from high school, he was accepted to the US Coast Guard Academy. As a cadet, he trained on the USCGC Barque Eagle which left him with fond memories and was the source of many amusing stories. During Bob’s first year, he became seriously ill with ulcerative colitis, forcing him to leave the Academy. Bob’s illness, in a twist of fate, inspired him to change course and pursue the study of medicine.
He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst (BS,1959) where he began what became a lifelong interest in medicine and research. He made Dean’s List all four years and was very involved with campus activities including Pre-Medical Club, Kappa Sigma, and, his favorite job, Team Manager for the UMass varsity football team.
He attended University of Rochester School of Medicine, taking a year to pursue research in Dr. Barry Hanshaw’s lab. It was there that he met Sherrill, the love of his life, who was working as a Lab Technician. Bob and Sherrill were married June 8, 1963 in Norway, Maine. Bob graduated with an MD in 1964.
He served his internship and residency at University Hospital in Boston MA from 1964 to 1966 and returned to the University of Rochester to complete residency from 1966 to 1968. He served as Chief Resident of the U of R from 1968 to 1969, went on to join the faculty and became Assistant Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Professor of Medicine between 1970 and 2010. He served as the Director of Educational Programs for the Department of Medicine at University of Rochester from 1989 to 1997. He was granted Professor Emeritus from 2010 until his death.
Bob was recognized for his outstanding educational contributions and in recognition of his integrity and excellence as a teacher with the Arthur W. Bauman Teaching Award twice (1986- 87;1996- 7) and the Council of the Medical Alumni Association 1997 Gold Medal Award, respectively. His excellence in scientific research was recognized through his invited memberships to Alpha Omega Alpha and Sigma XI.
Bob’s devotion to providing the highest level of care and compassion to his patients has inspired his many students. He took great pride in his research work that spanned 50 years and included over 130 publications including the topics of, but not limited to, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster, influenza, and treatment of infections for patients undergoing renal transplants. He was co-author of Reese and Betts’ A Practical Approach to Infectious Disease, an authoritative guide to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
At home, Bob was the root cause of numerous late, overcooked dinners due to his dedication to hospital work. He had a playful sense of humor, and was able to roll out well-timed puns with ease along with quite the repertoire of jokes, no matter what the occasion.
Bob was also a legendary napper able to peacefully snooze on some of the most well-known park benches across Europe, as well as during raucous family celebrations, surrounded by his grandchildren. Some of his favorite recreational activities were participating in work related softball games, hosting Yarmouth Road block parties, ladder climbing (home related - not career), porch refurbishment, home garage sales, and generally enjoying the company of his family whether at home, during holidays, on glorious trips to Europe, or yearly summer sojourns to Maine.
He was completely devoted to his wife and family. Although Alzheimer’s Disease robbed him of his keen mind in his final years, his sweet sparkle and lovely demeanor never faded. Loved and loving to the end.
The family would like to extend thanks for the wonderful care provided to Bob by Lisa, Regina, Beth, and Sue.
Forever memorialized for having been more sinned against than sinning (as he liked to say), Bob is well loved and remembered by family members, former patients, colleagues at home and around the world, and students who are now caring physicians themselves.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
~ Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob’s name to either:
Alzheimer’s Association
https://www.alz.org/
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
https://www.alzinfo.org/
A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held at a future date.
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