Dr. Robert E. Tipton, M.D.

Dr. Robert (Dr. Bob) Tipton of Avon, IN passed away on Friday evening, June 18, 2021, at home surrounded by his loved ones. He finally found peace after a 5 1/2 year battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme – Grade 4 Primary Brain Cancer. He was born on November 6, 1943 in Lebanon, TN, the son of Douglas and Frances Louisa (Donnell) Tipton.

Dr. Bob graduated from Gallatin (TN) High School in 1961. He went on to graduate from Vanderbilt University (1965) and University of Tennessee College of Medicine (1968). He then went on to begin a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Genetics at Johns Hopkins Hospital, before starting and completing his Internship and Residency in Pediatrics in 1971 at University of Tennessee Medical Units and City of Memphis Hospitals. Afterwards, he completed his postdoctoral training in Medical Genetics, graduating in 1973, also from University of Tennessee, Memphis.

After Medical School, Dr. Bob fulfilled his military obligation with the United States Air Force, becoming Pediatric Staff and Genetics Consultant. Dr. Bob achieved the rank of Major and spent 2 years at Scott Air Base in Belleville, IL.

After being honorably discharged, Dr. Bob worked as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Family Medicine at University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis, TN until 1980, when he joined Memphis Children's Clinic in private Pediatric practice. In early January 1988, Bob began his fellowship in Neonatology, completing in late 1989, then joining East Memphis Neonatologists, Memphis TN where he practiced at Baptist Hospital until 2003 when serious illness forced him to take a leave of absence. He later joined Pediatric Associates, Memphis TN and remained there until moving to Lafayette, IN in 2008 to again practice Neonatology with Lafayette Neonatal Associates , covering hospital Neonatal Units in Lafayette, Terre Haute and Valparaiso, IN. In 2013, he began licensing in multiple states and practicing as an independent locum tenens . Eventually, he was licensed and practiced as a Pediatrician/Neonatologist in 10 states, with his final assignment in Southeast Alabama, where he fell ill, which led to the diagnosis of Brain Cancer in Fall 2015.

It was in Lafayette where he met his wife, Beth and they were married. They celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on June 1.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son Robert, Jr. Surviving in addition to Beth, are his daughter Mary Elisabeth; step-children Casey (Craig) Richey of Avon, IN and Adam (Nikki) Windhorst of Scottsdale, AZ; brother Doug (Yvonne) Tipton of Wilmington, DE; nephews Franklin (Libby) Tipton of Mill Valley, CA and Bryan (Twiggy) Tipton of Alexandria VA; great nieces and nephews and many Donnell cousins located all over the United States and Australia. He also leaves behind his beloved goldendoodle, Derby.

Anyone who met Dr. Bob would soon know about his love of 'his babies' – the critically ill infants he lived to care for, his love of beautiful and fast cars, his love of animals, his love of being physically active, his love of tennis, his love of family, his love of traveling, his love of reading, his love of good food and wine, his love of a good glass of scotch and a fine cigar, his love of telling jokes and stories and his incredibly generous spirit.

For the entirety of Bob's illness, he was treated at the IU Health Neuroscience Center in Indianapolis. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Edward Dropcho, MD and Drew Geiser, RN for their generosity of time, kindness and attention that was always available to Bob and Beth. Also, a great amount of gratitude to Premier Hospice for the respect and genuine kindness shown to the entire family during Bob's last days.

A private Service of Remembrance will be held at a later date. The family asks that, if you knew Dr. Bob, to please celebrate in his honor, remembering how his life touched yours in a joyous way. Those who wish to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the following;

• IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center for Joanne I. Carey Glioblastoma Research Fund
  • Make checks payable to IU Foundation and mail to: IUF, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072. Indicate " In Memory of Dr. Robert E. Tipton, M.D." on the Memo line of your check.

You may also make donations online at www.cancer.iu.edu/giving Please remember to indicate the above mentioned fund when selecting an account.