Robert Chesley Lowery Jr. was born on October 7, 1949, in Columbus, OH, the oldest son of Rutha Mae and Robert Chesley Lowery Sr.   His family moved to Los Angeles in 1955 where he spent his formative years and graduated from Dorsey High School in 1967.  Robert was the first in his family to pursue higher education earning a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from California State University at Los Angeles in 1972. He went on to earn a Doctor of Medicine from the University of San Francisco in 1976.  While there he developed what would become a lifelong interest in cardiovascular disease and surgery.  Robert then completed an internship and residency in General Surgery and Fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at Downstate Medical Center State University of New York.

Robert’s interest in academic medicine led him to Howard University where he served as Assistant Professor and Acting Chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery from 1985 to 1988.  Robert then entered private practice in affiliation with Medstar Washington Hospital Center from 1988 to 2002 and 2007-2014.  He returned to Downstate serving as Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery from 2002 to 2007. He retired in 2014.  Robert received multiple awards including Patient Choice Award of Washington Hospital Center and Top Doctor in the Washingtonian Magazine.  He coauthored more than 50 publications.

While well respected and loved by his physician, nursing and ancillary staff colleagues, his life extended far beyond medicine.  Robert loved adventure, was a Black Diamond and Helicopter Skier, expert diver and sailor and earned a black belt in Hapkido.  He had traveled to over 100 countries on six continents.  In addition, he was an accomplished still wildlife photographer whose portfolio included emperor penguins in the Antarctica, gorillas in Rwanda and jaguars in the Amazon.  Robert enjoyed cooking for family and friends, wine collecting and fine dining. He was a voracious reader and had an encyclopedic knowledge of food and wine, along with a wide-ranging interest in literature and music.

He had an intractable thirst for knowledge, and was a perfect example of what is possible when brilliance and ability intersect with opportunity.

Predeceased by his parents and brothers Douglas and Melvin, he is survived by his loving wife Dr DeNaye Brown; sisters Meredith, Beryl (Peter), Alison (Ira), sister-in-law Rosie, son Jason (Lori), grandson Jason, granddaughters Mya and London, great grandson Daniel, great granddaughter Demi, nieces Eve (Jonathan) and Nora; nephews Davon (Belinda) and Lowell (Ellie), grandnephews Vaughn and Loyal, and grandniece Rose as well as a host of extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to UCSF School of Medicine.  Please visit https://tiny.ucsf.edu/UCSFMed76

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