Robert Md

Robert Alfred Baird was born in a small town in Western South Dakota. The fourth child of a family of four brothers and one sister (Emma Lou), he was the middle child by years as he was seven younger than his oldest sibling (Stanley) and seven older than his youngest sibling (James). Seven however was not a lucky number for young Bob as his father ( Robert Stanley) passed at age seven leaving his mother(Bertha) with five young children in a small two bedroom house in Belle Fourche SD during the great depression. It is a testament to how she managed what must have been multiple hardships is that Robert always recalled his mother with not only great respect but great fondness. Years later when he was watching a TV show with his own family on the poor in America, which basically described his own upbringing, he was heard to remark "we were never poor" attesting to the richness of his upbringing. Bob had a natural curiosity probably encouraged by his mother who was college educated, unusual for the time. He explored many interests growing up including music and sport. He marched in the high school band and was the running back on the team attesting to his energy and ability to change clothes quickly (probably under the bleachers in those days). One wonders if he ever forgot to remove his leather helmet during the band performance. He was also active on the track where he was an accomplished sprinter, possibly the byproduct of growing up with two older brothers.

Bertha's children were all excellent students and she insisted that each attend college out of state. The reason stated was that she wanted them to broaden their experiences (she was a graduate of Colorado College '16) but perhaps after the many years of solo parenting she was ready for the brood to move on! Bob found himself on the campus of University of Colorado, a place he had never seen before. He related a story that he had heard that the mountain state was cold and so wore his goulashes on the bus. Upon arrival to Boulder in August 1949 he describes walking up hill in full winter regalia to his freshman dorm where he was probably voted the freshman most likely to have just fallen off the turnip truck! Nevertheless he quickly adapted and remained a successful student and was very active in his fraternity. In reviewing some of the old photos it looks like he was VERY active. Bob as a singing ukulele player joined a frat brother forming a singing duet who entertained at fraternity events which sounds a little like a "hold my beer" idea. He must of been at least a little entertaining for how else could he have attracted the attentions of a big city girl from Denver? The summer after graduation must have been a busy time as there was a wedding in Denver to Janet and a move to Vermillion SD to begin medical school. Bob and Janet (Coates) later moved to Seattle, Washington for his clinical years and upon graduation joined the Army Medical Corp to gain experience and actually generate an income. The army promised him he would remain stationed in the states where he could pursue internship and residency training. Six months later he and Janet were shipped to Germany as tensions with the Soviet Union flared. On can only imagine the stress this would have caused this untraveled young couple, one of whom was pregnant. As luck would have it though this was a very positive experience no doubt enhanced as his brother Ted and wife Marie joined them in Germany after following a similar course through medical school and the army. The two couples found time to travel throughout Western Europe often accompanied by their growing families. Sons Bruce and Kevin were both born in Germany.

Upon return to Seattle, the young doctor pursued an interest in a new medical specialty. Anesthesiology was (and is) a strong program at University of Washington and Bob was particularly interested in regional anesthesia or the ability to numb an area of the body without resorting to general anesthesia. After completing his training and it was time to return to Colorado with his young family and take up practice in the South Denver Area. He was instrumental in starting one of the first Denver medical groups. South Denver Anesthesiologists started with just four physicians and grew to to almost one hundred. Under his influence it established a reputation for quality, fairness and openness. It included one of the first black physicians in the Denver area and welcomed one of the first woman physician in the region as a partner as well. After fifteen years with the practice, Bob had the chance to further utilize his interest in regional anesthesia and with two other anesthesiologists formed a group that solely specialized in the area of Obstetrical Anesthesia. At the time this was groundbreaking as very few women were given the option of epidural pain management for labor. Now of course this is almost routine. Bob practiced at Swedish Medical Center and then Porter Memorial Hospital as a specialist in providing anesthesia care for Obstetrics and Gynecological Surgery. He is remembered by Obstetricians, CRNAs, nursing staff and patients as a kind and gentle physician who was extremely competent and took great care of his patients.

Bob continued to find many new interests from photography to skiing and fly fishing to golf and videography. One remembers the smell of ether surrounding Bob and not from his work in the hospital but rather from the chemicals used in developing film in his makeshift darkroom. Although he didn't take up skiing until his 40s he enjoyed it in his distinctive crab-like stance and tackled about any slope in the front range. He did grumble about the $5 lift tickets at Vail however.. He later transitioned to playing golf although I'm not sure like most of us he was ever actually a golfer. His high handicap was welcomed though in many of the team events played at Columbine Country Club with his buddies Stan, Max and Jim. His golf buddies were often his fishing buddies as well and eventually he purchased a small fishing cabin on Lininger Lake next to Stan's that he enjoyed with friends and family for many years. One recalls him with his floppy hat and sunglasses trolling and driving his fishing boat while occasionally (?) sipping on a cold beer or a fine bourbon.

Although Bob's professional life was on firm footing, his marriage with Janet was not and they parted ways. He did however remain a part of his son's lives who were now in early adolescence. Sunday afternoons were always about the Bronco game and he worked to make them special, even dabbling in "cooking", attempting the elusive bananas foster complete with flambeau. Fortunately by then he was no longer developing photographs so flammable ether was no longer around to add to the visual spectacle. There were ski and golf outings spent with his sons and he was always very generous and as spontaneous as one can be with planned parental visits. He took a keen interest in his son's interests and accomplishments. In a prime example of multitasking he was often seen on top of the high school stadium press box with his video outfit filming Kevin light up the football field with his crazy moves and Bruce marching in the band. Many videos are available if one cares to see...He was also very generous and carried on with his mother's educational tradition and saw his sons through college and graduate school.

Bob did find love again and after LONG courtship married Nancy (Haworth). They were a beautiful couple but were absolutely stunning on the ballroom dance floor. As with his other interests he dove in with both feet (literally) and was so lucky to have found someone with the same interests and with equal (probably better) grace and style. When not in lessons or practicing on their own ballroom floor they were to be seen on a dance floor anywhere from the Elks club to a cruise ship. Once on remarking about what makes a good cruise, Bob stated: a "good dance band." Sometimes they never even got off the ship on their many cruises. He was always made to feel welcome by Nancy's children: Anne, Gail, David, Lee and both sides of the family were often seen at family gatherings. Nancy after all is also an excellent cook! In time his family grew even larger with the addition of grandchildren from Bruce's (Susan) and Kevin's (Carrie) family. His boys were considerate as always and thus he had only two more birthdays to remember. Bruce and Susan's children, Andrew, Michael and Taylor are triplets. Kevin and Carrie could "only" come up with twins, albeit excellent grandsons in Kyle and Jason.

In the last years of Bob's full life his memory began to fail perhaps because it was already overflowing with so many happy memories. His body also began to wander and he transitioned to specialized memory care at Highline Place. He found a home of caring people to meet his now special needs. There he became Dr. Bob. He was kept busy with activities and music (music again!) and was a favorite of the staff with his gentle manner and unique sense of humor although then as before it was often difficult to understand his jokes! At times he was confused but never overly frustrated and always happy. Perhaps this period of carefree happiness was a reward for a generous and well-lived life. As a son, brother, husband, doctor, father, you will be remembered with great fondness and love. Somewhere right now in heaven above there is a God that welcomes you with open arms but perhaps wishes the ukulele had never been invented!