Obituary of Robert T Estes

ESTES, Robert T. On September 13, 2018, Dr. Robert "Bob" Estes died peacefully at Peppi's House (Hospice at Tucson Medical Center) after a brief illness. He was 87 years old. He was surrounded by family and close friends the morning of his passing, and family were with him at his bedside when he took his last breath. A Memorial Mass was held in his honor by his parish priest, Father Harry, and his St. Pius X Catholic Church community. Dr. Estes attended college at Akron University before attending medical school at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After completing his ROTC training and a medical internship in obstetrics, he was commissioned as a captain in the United States Air Force and worked as an obstetrician at Hahn Air Base in Germany for three years. He then returned to Cleveland for a three-year residency in ophthalmology before he and his family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he worked at an ophthalmologist in private practice for 40 years. Upon his retirement as a practicing ophthalmologist, he embarked on a "second career," working for ten years for the Arizona Department of Economic Security as a disability claims medical reviewer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo and their youngest child, Paul Michael Estes. Remaining descendants include their children, David Joseph (Wendy) Estes, Kathleen Marie (Daniel) O'Hanlon and William Thomas Estes and their grandchildren, John Michael (Sarah) Estes, Jennifer Rose (boyfriend Sean) Estes and James Thomas Estes. He also leaves behind many special friends, including Gary Cassett, Susan Hillman, Mary Keller, Kay Wetmore, Dr. Robert Fisher (and his assistant, Adrianna) his friends at Villa Hermosa (especially his dining companions, Roy Larson and Nancy Nelson and many others. The family would like to thank the staff at Tucson Medical Center (especially Dr. Rashi Rawlani and Nurse Practitioner Marti Gilliam) who so graciously expedited Bob's transfer from the hospital setting to hospice care, fostering a peaceful and supportive environment when Bob needed it most. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo, Tucson, AZ 85715. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.