Dr. Robert M. Blizzard, a resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, for 45 years (1973-2018), died peacefully at his home on July 22, 2018, at the age of 94.

Dr. Blizzard was Professor (1974-1993) and Chairman (1974-1987) of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia Medical School. He is survived by Polly “Pam” Moore Blizzard, his beloved wife of 22 years. He is also survived by his two children, Janice L. Blizzard and R. Steven Blizzard; his stepchildren, Edward C. Wilson Jr. (Anita), and Elisabeth W. Gordon (Gordon Clapp); eight grandchildren, Julia Voyles (Brad), Alison Haney (Patrick), R. Morgan Blizzard, John T. Blizzard, Catherine R. Gordon, Connor S. Gordon, Kathleen E. Wilson, and Olivia M. Wilson; and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth O. Blizzard.

Professionally, Dr. Blizzard was known nationally and internationally as a teacher who trained more than 60 pediatricians to be pediatric endocrinologists, a clinician who was a friend to his patients and their parents, and a clinical researcher who was funded for his research from the National Institutes of Health for 35 years. After retiring in 1993, he continued to teach internationally and organized and founded the Foundation for Growth and Development of Children which he headed for eight years. Prior to coming to Virginia at 50 years of age to assume the position of Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Co-Founder of the Children’s Medical Center at the University of Virginia. He was born on June 20, 1924 in a small town in southern Illinois. Dr. Blizzard served three years in the Army during World War II, with 18 months in the Phillippines. He attended Northwestern University and Northwestern Medical School in Illinois, trained in pediatrics in Iowa, trained in pediatric endocrinology for two years at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and served on the faculty of the Ohio State School of Medicine before returning to Johns Hopkins Hospital as Professor of Pediatrics for 14 years.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care provided to Dr. Blizzard by the Hospice of the Piedmont and nurse, Kelly Ottman, and caregivers, Sherita, Selita and Cierra Hester and Michele Sheffield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Dr. Blizzard’s name to the University of Virginia Children’s Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia. In accordance with the wishes of Dr. Blizzard, interment will be private.