Richard Robbins, MD

Richard Allen Robbins, MD was born on January 3, 1951, to Harold and Vernelle Robbins in Kearney, Nebraska. He graduated from Grand Island High School and attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln prior to his admission to the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He graduated in 1976 and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at UMKC in Kansas City, Missouri. He further completed a Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship at the University of Nebraska and was a Visiting Investigator at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH). He was subsequently recruited to join the faculty of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine as a Board-Certified Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care physician.

Dr. Robbins continued his academic medicine career at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as a Visiting Investigator at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, England, Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Louisiana State University at Shreveport, Louisiana, Assistant Chief of Staff for Research at University of Arizona and Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ and Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center. He also served as Program Director of the Good Samaritan/VA Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship program.

Dr. Robbins published over 170 articles in peer-reviewed publications and over 60 books or book chapters. He received numerous honors, including 2016 American Thoracic Society Clinician of the Year and obtained 23 federal, state, and private research grants supporting his research efforts. Rick would tell you his greatest honor was serving as a teacher and trainer to many internal medicine residents and Pulmonary Fellows with whom he maintained valued relationships.

Upon his retirement, Dr. Robbins began planning the peer-reviewed, open access Southwest Journal of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep (SWJPCCS) in August 2010 with colleagues from the Arizona Thoracic Society, publishing the journal’s very first manuscript on November 11, 2010. He served as the founding Editor-in-Chief until its transfer to the University of Arizona in 2026 as Observations and Insights in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Rick dedicated his career to taking care of critically ill patients and their families, and his contributions, both professional and personal, to pulmonary and critical care medicine were a source of pride for both Rick and his family.

Rick’s favorite times included frequent visits and vacations with his daughters, sons-in-law, and four adored grandchildren. He was a generous, funny, hard-working, and smart Grandpa, father and husband. Rick had a wonderful bucket list he worked to complete. He learned to sail, fly airplanes, ride motorcycles, and scuba dive, taking him to various sites, including Belize. He also loved golf and playing poker with his buddies, and tasting wines with his friends in the Desert Wine Guild. Throughout his life, Rick maintained a natural curiosity about the world around him, and he strove to always continue learning and exploring. He will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.

Rick died peacefully on October 22 with his wife and daughters by his side. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julene; his daughter, Heather Robbins; son-in-law, John Hermann and grandchildren, Holland and Grayson Hermann of Omaha, NE, and daughter, Kristin Robbins; son-in-law, Jason Hardy and grandchildren, William and Bram Hardy of New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by his step grandchildren, Amber Saltsgaver, Ali Johnson and Jake Hermann, sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Terry Adams, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children. He will also be missed by numerous colleagues, former students, and trainees who have reached out with their concern and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) or any charity that touches your heart. UMOM New Day Centers (3333 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008) serve homeless youth and families in the Phoenix area.