In Memoriam: Robert H. Wilkins, MD, 1934 to 2017 (2017)

Dr. Robert H. Wilkins, former Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at Duke University, died on March 31, 2017 at Duke University Hospital at the age of 82. Known as an academic and historian, he devoted his career in neurosurgery to the improvement and propagation of scholarship in the field, as well as to teaching complex surgical techniques. Bob Wilkins strongly believed in forming bridges and emphasized extensive collaboration—a theme that followed him throughout his distinguished career and beyond. PERSONAL LIFE AND FAMILY As a youth, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Wilkins was active in swimming, track, and soccer. The son of cellist, George H. Wilkins, and teacher, Mary L. Wilkins, Bob Wilkins, known then as “Bo,” attended Morningside Elementary School and Peabody High School. He attended the University of Pittsburgh for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. He held leadership positions on various academic councils throughout high school and college, setting him on course for numerous leadership roles throughout his professional career. He received Pennsylvania State Senatorial Scholarships during each of his 4 years in medical school. He married Gloria Ann Kohl, a teacher, in Pittsburgh in December 1957. Together, they raised 3 children: Michael, Jeffrey, and Elizabeth (Betsy). Bob and Gloria had a relationship that many would classify as a true partnership. Their bond being loving and warm, and inspiring a sense of family wherever they resided. Gloria worked as Bob's laboratory assistant during his early work related to intracranial arterial spasm. She also worked as his administrative assistant for 18 years, on top of being an unpaid editorial assistant for the journal Neurosurgery, which the Wilkins’ started out of their home. In his later years, Bob often recounted how Gloria nursed him through serious illnesses in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He frequently cited Gloria's care and attention as the reason he was able to fight, and win, these battles. He retired from Duke in 2004, and the Robert H. and Gloria Wilkins Distinguished Professorship in Neurosurgery at Duke was created in his honor this year as well, by his son Michael and wife Sheila. The Professorship is currently held by the inaugural Chair of the new Department of Neurosurgery at Duke, John Sampson. In retirement, Dr. Wilkins focused on supporting his church and contributing to global health efforts. Spending time with their children and many friends became the way of life for Bob and Gloria. He also developed a feverish passion for addressing neurosurgical disparities in underserved populations. He and Gloria continued to be known during this time for bringing others together socially and were highly regarded for their extraordinary dancing skills often demonstrated at these events. PROFESSIONAL CAREER Dr. Wilkins earned both his Bachelor of Science and Medical Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, in 1955 and 1959, respectively. He also completed several fellowships as a student. One such fellowship took place at the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, known now as the March of Dimes. He completed this fellowship under Dr. Jonas Salk in 1956. Bob and Gloria relocated to Durham, NC, in 1959. He completed his internship and residency at Duke, leaving briefly to serve as Senior Assistant Surgeon at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute. He served in this role for the US Public Health Service during the Vietnam War. In 1963, he returned to Durham to complete his residency, and finished in 1968. Once he completed residency, he remained at Duke to serve as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery. Additionally, he served at the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital as Chief of Neurosurgery. In 1972, Dr. Wilkins was recruited to Texas where he served at several institutions, including the Scott & White Clinic, where he served as Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He also held positions at the Southwestern Medical School, and the University of Texas Medical Branch. The Wilkins’ returned to Pittsburgh in 1975 when Dr. Wilkins accepted a professorship role at the University of Pittsburgh. He served there for 1 year until returning permanently to North Carolina. In North Carolina, he served as Professor of Neurosurgery at Duke University School of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Duke Neurosurgery, a position he held until 1996. Although Dr. Wilkins was involved in many endeavors, his clinical practice focused on diseases of the skull base, including acoustic neuromas. In retirement, Dr. Wilkins’ passion and energy did not subside. Dr. Wilkins traveled with Duke's Global Neurosurgery program to Uganda in 2008, where he performed many neurosurgical procedures. Supported by his church, as well as Hope Worldwide and the Duke Global Health Institute, Bob went on many humanitarian trips to Indonesia, Kenya, Brazil, and Haiti, among other places. In January of 2012, Dr. Wilkins joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the role of Director of Academics and Professor of Neurosurgery. He held that position until his second retirement in March of 2014. COMMITMENT TO SCHOLARSHIP During his 20 years as Chief of Duke Neurosurgery, he was an active contributor to the primary academic societies in neurosurgery. He served various functions within these societies: such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, serving as the President from 1979 to 1980; the Southern Neurosurgical Society, serving as Secretary and President between 1988 and 1993; and as Treasurer of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in between. He published a 3-volume textbook called Neurosurgery (ISBN: 0070799911). Since its inception, the set has become a classic reference for emerging surgeons. He also received the Distinguished Service Award of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (1998), the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2000), and the Southern Neurosurgical Society (2011). The establishment of Neurosurgery, the professional journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, was among his greatest contributions to the field. He and Gloria created this journal out of their home in 1977, and he served as the newly formed journal's Editor in Chief for the next 5 years. Neurosurgery remains a standard of knowledge and research in the field. Dr. Wilkins also authored over 300 research articles and held editorships on a number of other journals. He is also credited as an author or editor of 28 books. One scholastic endeavor he held in high regard was The Robert H. Wilkins Lectureship in Academic Neurosurgery. The lectureship was, and still is, a partnership between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The most recent Wilkins Lectureship was held in February 2017 at the Washington Duke Inn. The 2018 lecture will be given by Benjamin C. Warf, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and Chair of Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida at Boston Children's Hospital. Previous lectures were given by Dr. James Rutka, Dr. Nelson Oyesiku, and Dr. Neil Martin.1,2 FINAL WORDS Dr. Wilkins was a sure and steady figure within Duke and UNC Neurosurgery, and his legacy will live on through the many hundreds of lives both he and Gloria touched, and the number of future leaders he helped train. The success of the many residents, faculty members, researchers, and care providers he mentored over the decades was known to have brought both of them great joy. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by so many. Disclosure The authors have no personal, financial, or institutional interest in any of the drugs, materials, or devices described in this article.