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Child Advocates Remember the Life of
Great Humanitarian
Robert H. Kirschner, MD, died on Sept. 15, 2002 in Chicago from complications of cancer. He was 61. Bob devoted his life to promoting human rights through the documentation of abuses around the world. He was a powerful advocate against the death penalty, child abuse, torture and international crimes.
Through his work with the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), United Nations, American Association for The Advancement of Science and other organizations, he helped bring justice to victims of political massacres in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Bosnia and Rwanda. Also with the PHR, he worked for peace in the Middle East through his documentation of torture and killings by the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.
He was active in the detection of Child abuse and was a member of the International Advisory Board of the National Center of Shaken Baby Syndrome and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
Dr. Kirschner was the world’s leading expert in the pathology of child abuse, having conducted thousands of abuse-related child autopsies during his almost two decades with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office in Chicago, Ill. Dr. Kirschner was in high demand as an expert witness in abuse cases. He published extensively in the field of child abuse injuries, and has been a pioneer in improving the methods of diagnosing and discovering shaken baby injuries.
He was a long time faculty member at the University of Chicago and served for many years at the Cook County Medical Examiners Office.
Bob was a gifted teacher, mentor and inspiration to many. His passion for life is exemplified by his great devotion to his family and friends. Bob made people laugh with his unique wit and unusual perspective.
Kirschner is survived by his father, Walter Kirschner, 91, of Philadelphia; his brother, Richard, 70, of Bethesda, Md.; his sister, Joanne Oppenheimer, 58, of Springfield, Mass.; and by his wife, Barbara Kirschner, MD, also a faculty member at the University of Chicago and a leading authority on inflammatory bowel disease in children. They met as medical students in Philadelphia. They have three children: Joshua, 33, of New York; Daniel, 30, of Chicago; and Benjamin, 26, of New York; and one grandchild, Alanna.
His family has asked that donations be made to the Robert H. Kirschner Fund at the Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, 5828 S. University, Chicago, IL, 60637; Congregation K.A.M. Isaiah Israel or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Friends Pay Tribute
"For those victims who were unable to do so for themselves, Bob was a tireless advocate who sought, embraced and spoke the truth. Bob was an inspiration to me on both a professional and personal level. He truly left his mark with the people he touched, the testimonies to which he swore, and the writings to which we continue to quote.
"Thank you Dr. Krishner for the shining example you set for us, one of relentless pursuit of the truth. Thank you Dr. Kirshner for being the loud voice of victims whose final story would have otherwise remained hidden. Rest easy in your most noble achievements, my dear colleague."
Michael J.Vendola
Retired, Wisconsin Dept. of Justice
International Advisory Board Member, NCSBS
"Bob was a tireless advocate of those that would otherwsie have no voice. Whether it was an infant victim of abuse or a prisoner in another country who was subjected to unjust torture, Bob was there with compassion, scientific inquiry, and enthusiastic support. He is greatly missed."
Alex V. Levin, MD, MHSc, FAAP, FAAO,
The Hospital for Sick Children
University of Toronto
International Advisory Board Member, NCSBS
"Dr. Kirschner’s passing leaves a void in humanity that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill. My wife and I first met Dr. Kirschner in 1994. Amid his demanding national and international schedule, he paused to review and render a written opinion in our son’s case.
"Despite the personal carnage and tragedy Dr. Kirschner must have witnessed over the years, he was the most caring and compassionate person I have ever met. He was also one of the smartest; although I know if he were here today he would humbly deny it. I also know that Dr. Kirschner helped countless families like ours, for little or no monetary pay. He was a tireless warrior for the truth, and friend to children worldwide in a frequent sea of incompetence and injustice."
Gregory & Julie Parry, and their children, Cooper, Bronson,
Briggs and Murphi-Rose
"Dr. Kirschner was an inspiration to us all. Not only did he work tirelessly for shaken baby syndrome, but for so many causes that touched so many lives.
"We were privileged to have him join us as a member of the International Advisory Board and will miss him dearly."
Marilyn Sandberg
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
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