Published on November 4, 2000 · The Baltimore Sun
SUN STAFF Frederick N. Rasmussen
Dr. Robert C. Irwin, former chief of pediatrics at Bon Secours Hospital and medical director of Joseph Richey Hospice Inc., died Wednesday of a heart attack at his Catonsville home. He was 69.
In 1973, Dr. Irwin and three other physicians established the Pediatric Center in Catonsville, a pediatric practice, where he was working at the time of his death. A pediatrician who understood and enjoyed being with children, Dr. Irwin knew how to put them at ease. One of his favorite remedies for children's anxiety was to dispense squirt guns, which he encouraged his patients to use even in his office.
During the 1960s, he served as medical director of St. Gabriel's Home for Retarded Children, operated by the All Saints Sisters of Poor, an Anglican order of nuns. When they began planning for a hospice in 1979, they turned to Dr. Irwin for help.
With the assistance of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church at Eutaw and Madison streets, they established the Joseph Richey Hospice, named for an early rector of the church. Opened in a pair of three-story rowhouses in the 800 block of North Eutaw Street, the hospice began accepting patients in 1986.
Working with a staff of volunteer physicians, Dr. Irwin - who served on the hospice board from the earliest days - was its first medical director, a volunteer position he held until his death.
"Each week he attended our patient team conference and made rounds visiting with every patient. He was also available on call to our nurses on a 24-hour basis at all times, except when he was out of town," said Charlotte Hawtin, director of communications.
"On Monday evening, he fielded his last call at 10:30 from our hospice nurse, Nancy Woods, who called to confer on a patient's care. He died an hour later," she said.
Dr. Irwin's goal in working with AIDS and cancer patients was to help them get their pain under control within 24 hours of arriving at the hospice.
"I've been in hospice work for 40 years and I never met someone who could control pain so well as Bob," said Ruth E. Eger, Joseph Richey executive director.
"He could care for dying people and give them their dignity. The way he could reach out and touch people was amazing," she said.
Mother Catherine Grace, a co-founder, board member and mother superior of the All Saints Sisters, described Dr. Irwin as a "very quiet man ... who brought a presence wherever he went. He always reached out to the underdog."
"He was very dedicated and ran a superb program. He had compassion as evidenced by his being so involved," said Dr. Harold Standiford, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Maryland Medical School, who also is a hospice volunteer.
"In his hospice work, he saw how desperate people were and he wanted to help. Many doctors avoid the whole issue but he realized he had the inner strength in being able to reach out to people. He had a great sense of graciousness and kindness," said Dr. Erney Maher, a pediatrician and colleague in the Pediatric Center.
"The key to Dr. Irwin was that he was a superb human being. He had a wonderful life and career which ended too early for him and our community," said Dr. Murray Kappelman, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical School, and a friend for over 40 years.
Known for possessing a wry sense of humor, when asked about a medical condition, Dr. Irwin would reply, "It must be GKW."
When the patient would ask what that meant, he'd say, "That's God Knows What."
"He advised his medical staff at the hospice to follow the KISS principle, which translated into `Keep it simple, stupid,'" said Mrs. Hawtin.
The son of an attorney, he was born and raised in Washington. He was a graduate of St. Anselm's Priory, a high school, and earned his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University in 1953. After serving in the Army, he earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland Medical School in 1959 and completed his pediatric residency there in 1963.
He was married in 1957 to the former Marjean Cashman, who survives him.
He was a communicant of St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 27 Melvin Ave., Catonsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John F. Irwin of Catonsville; three daughters, Katherine Irwin Riback of Roland Park, Theresa Irwin Peters of Pittsburgh, and Margaret Irwin Lewis of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; a brother, William B. Irwin of Catonsville; and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Robert C. Irwin was praised for his compassion.
SUN STAFF Frederick N. Rasmussen
Dr. Robert C. Irwin, former chief of pediatrics at Bon Secours Hospital and medical director of Joseph Richey Hospice Inc., died Wednesday of a heart attack at his Catonsville home. He was 69.
In 1973, Dr. Irwin and three other physicians established the Pediatric Center in Catonsville, a pediatric practice, where he was working at the time of his death. A pediatrician who understood and enjoyed being with children, Dr. Irwin knew how to put them at ease. One of his favorite remedies for children's anxiety was to dispense squirt guns, which he encouraged his patients to use even in his office.
During the 1960s, he served as medical director of St. Gabriel's Home for Retarded Children, operated by the All Saints Sisters of Poor, an Anglican order of nuns. When they began planning for a hospice in 1979, they turned to Dr. Irwin for help.
With the assistance of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church at Eutaw and Madison streets, they established the Joseph Richey Hospice, named for an early rector of the church. Opened in a pair of three-story rowhouses in the 800 block of North Eutaw Street, the hospice began accepting patients in 1986.
Working with a staff of volunteer physicians, Dr. Irwin - who served on the hospice board from the earliest days - was its first medical director, a volunteer position he held until his death.
"Each week he attended our patient team conference and made rounds visiting with every patient. He was also available on call to our nurses on a 24-hour basis at all times, except when he was out of town," said Charlotte Hawtin, director of communications.
"On Monday evening, he fielded his last call at 10:30 from our hospice nurse, Nancy Woods, who called to confer on a patient's care. He died an hour later," she said.
Dr. Irwin's goal in working with AIDS and cancer patients was to help them get their pain under control within 24 hours of arriving at the hospice.
"I've been in hospice work for 40 years and I never met someone who could control pain so well as Bob," said Ruth E. Eger, Joseph Richey executive director.
"He could care for dying people and give them their dignity. The way he could reach out and touch people was amazing," she said.
Mother Catherine Grace, a co-founder, board member and mother superior of the All Saints Sisters, described Dr. Irwin as a "very quiet man ... who brought a presence wherever he went. He always reached out to the underdog."
"He was very dedicated and ran a superb program. He had compassion as evidenced by his being so involved," said Dr. Harold Standiford, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Maryland Medical School, who also is a hospice volunteer.
"In his hospice work, he saw how desperate people were and he wanted to help. Many doctors avoid the whole issue but he realized he had the inner strength in being able to reach out to people. He had a great sense of graciousness and kindness," said Dr. Erney Maher, a pediatrician and colleague in the Pediatric Center.
"The key to Dr. Irwin was that he was a superb human being. He had a wonderful life and career which ended too early for him and our community," said Dr. Murray Kappelman, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical School, and a friend for over 40 years.
Known for possessing a wry sense of humor, when asked about a medical condition, Dr. Irwin would reply, "It must be GKW."
When the patient would ask what that meant, he'd say, "That's God Knows What."
"He advised his medical staff at the hospice to follow the KISS principle, which translated into `Keep it simple, stupid,'" said Mrs. Hawtin.
The son of an attorney, he was born and raised in Washington. He was a graduate of St. Anselm's Priory, a high school, and earned his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University in 1953. After serving in the Army, he earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland Medical School in 1959 and completed his pediatric residency there in 1963.
He was married in 1957 to the former Marjean Cashman, who survives him.
He was a communicant of St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 27 Melvin Ave., Catonsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John F. Irwin of Catonsville; three daughters, Katherine Irwin Riback of Roland Park, Theresa Irwin Peters of Pittsburgh, and Margaret Irwin Lewis of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; a brother, William B. Irwin of Catonsville; and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Robert C. Irwin was praised for his compassion.
Published on November 4, 2000 · The Baltimore Sun
SUN STAFF Frederick N. Rasmussen
Dr. Robert C. Irwin, former chief of pediatrics at Bon Secours Hospital and medical director of Joseph Richey Hospice Inc., died Wednesday of a heart attack at his Catonsville home. He was 69.
In 1973, Dr. Irwin and three other physicians established the Pediatric Center in Catonsville, a pediatric practice, where he was working at the time of his death. A pediatrician who understood and enjoyed being with children, Dr. Irwin knew how to put them at ease. One of his favorite remedies for children's anxiety was to dispense squirt guns, which he encouraged his patients to use even in his office.
During the 1960s, he served as medical director of St. Gabriel's Home for Retarded Children, operated by the All Saints Sisters of Poor, an Anglican order of nuns. When they began planning for a hospice in 1979, they turned to Dr. Irwin for help.
With the assistance of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church at Eutaw and Madison streets, they established the Joseph Richey Hospice, named for an early rector of the church. Opened in a pair of three-story rowhouses in the 800 block of North Eutaw Street, the hospice began accepting patients in 1986.
Working with a staff of volunteer physicians, Dr. Irwin - who served on the hospice board from the earliest days - was its first medical director, a volunteer position he held until his death.
"Each week he attended our patient team conference and made rounds visiting with every patient. He was also available on call to our nurses on a 24-hour basis at all times, except when he was out of town," said Charlotte Hawtin, director of communications.
"On Monday evening, he fielded his last call at 10:30 from our hospice nurse, Nancy Woods, who called to confer on a patient's care. He died an hour later," she said.
Dr. Irwin's goal in working with AIDS and cancer patients was to help them get their pain under control within 24 hours of arriving at the hospice.
"I've been in hospice work for 40 years and I never met someone who could control pain so well as Bob," said Ruth E. Eger, Joseph Richey executive director.
"He could care for dying people and give them their dignity. The way he could reach out and touch people was amazing," she said.
Mother Catherine Grace, a co-founder, board member and mother superior of the All Saints Sisters, described Dr. Irwin as a "very quiet man ... who brought a presence wherever he went. He always reached out to the underdog."
"He was very dedicated and ran a superb program. He had compassion as evidenced by his being so involved," said Dr. Harold Standiford, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Maryland Medical School, who also is a hospice volunteer.
"In his hospice work, he saw how desperate people were and he wanted to help. Many doctors avoid the whole issue but he realized he had the inner strength in being able to reach out to people. He had a great sense of graciousness and kindness," said Dr. Erney Maher, a pediatrician and colleague in the Pediatric Center.
"The key to Dr. Irwin was that he was a superb human being. He had a wonderful life and career which ended too early for him and our community," said Dr. Murray Kappelman, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical School, and a friend for over 40 years.
Known for possessing a wry sense of humor, when asked about a medical condition, Dr. Irwin would reply, "It must be GKW."
When the patient would ask what that meant, he'd say, "That's God Knows What."
"He advised his medical staff at the hospice to follow the KISS principle, which translated into `Keep it simple, stupid,'" said Mrs. Hawtin.
The son of an attorney, he was born and raised in Washington. He was a graduate of St. Anselm's Priory, a high school, and earned his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University in 1953. After serving in the Army, he earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland Medical School in 1959 and completed his pediatric residency there in 1963.
He was married in 1957 to the former Marjean Cashman, who survives him.
He was a communicant of St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 27 Melvin Ave., Catonsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John F. Irwin of Catonsville; three daughters, Katherine Irwin Riback of Roland Park, Theresa Irwin Peters of Pittsburgh, and Margaret Irwin Lewis of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; a brother, William B. Irwin of Catonsville; and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Robert C. Irwin was praised for his compassion.
SUN STAFF Frederick N. Rasmussen
Dr. Robert C. Irwin, former chief of pediatrics at Bon Secours Hospital and medical director of Joseph Richey Hospice Inc., died Wednesday of a heart attack at his Catonsville home. He was 69.
In 1973, Dr. Irwin and three other physicians established the Pediatric Center in Catonsville, a pediatric practice, where he was working at the time of his death. A pediatrician who understood and enjoyed being with children, Dr. Irwin knew how to put them at ease. One of his favorite remedies for children's anxiety was to dispense squirt guns, which he encouraged his patients to use even in his office.
During the 1960s, he served as medical director of St. Gabriel's Home for Retarded Children, operated by the All Saints Sisters of Poor, an Anglican order of nuns. When they began planning for a hospice in 1979, they turned to Dr. Irwin for help.
With the assistance of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church at Eutaw and Madison streets, they established the Joseph Richey Hospice, named for an early rector of the church. Opened in a pair of three-story rowhouses in the 800 block of North Eutaw Street, the hospice began accepting patients in 1986.
Working with a staff of volunteer physicians, Dr. Irwin - who served on the hospice board from the earliest days - was its first medical director, a volunteer position he held until his death.
"Each week he attended our patient team conference and made rounds visiting with every patient. He was also available on call to our nurses on a 24-hour basis at all times, except when he was out of town," said Charlotte Hawtin, director of communications.
"On Monday evening, he fielded his last call at 10:30 from our hospice nurse, Nancy Woods, who called to confer on a patient's care. He died an hour later," she said.
Dr. Irwin's goal in working with AIDS and cancer patients was to help them get their pain under control within 24 hours of arriving at the hospice.
"I've been in hospice work for 40 years and I never met someone who could control pain so well as Bob," said Ruth E. Eger, Joseph Richey executive director.
"He could care for dying people and give them their dignity. The way he could reach out and touch people was amazing," she said.
Mother Catherine Grace, a co-founder, board member and mother superior of the All Saints Sisters, described Dr. Irwin as a "very quiet man ... who brought a presence wherever he went. He always reached out to the underdog."
"He was very dedicated and ran a superb program. He had compassion as evidenced by his being so involved," said Dr. Harold Standiford, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Maryland Medical School, who also is a hospice volunteer.
"In his hospice work, he saw how desperate people were and he wanted to help. Many doctors avoid the whole issue but he realized he had the inner strength in being able to reach out to people. He had a great sense of graciousness and kindness," said Dr. Erney Maher, a pediatrician and colleague in the Pediatric Center.
"The key to Dr. Irwin was that he was a superb human being. He had a wonderful life and career which ended too early for him and our community," said Dr. Murray Kappelman, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical School, and a friend for over 40 years.
Known for possessing a wry sense of humor, when asked about a medical condition, Dr. Irwin would reply, "It must be GKW."
When the patient would ask what that meant, he'd say, "That's God Knows What."
"He advised his medical staff at the hospice to follow the KISS principle, which translated into `Keep it simple, stupid,'" said Mrs. Hawtin.
The son of an attorney, he was born and raised in Washington. He was a graduate of St. Anselm's Priory, a high school, and earned his bachelor's degree at Georgetown University in 1953. After serving in the Army, he earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland Medical School in 1959 and completed his pediatric residency there in 1963.
He was married in 1957 to the former Marjean Cashman, who survives him.
He was a communicant of St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 27 Melvin Ave., Catonsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John F. Irwin of Catonsville; three daughters, Katherine Irwin Riback of Roland Park, Theresa Irwin Peters of Pittsburgh, and Margaret Irwin Lewis of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; a brother, William B. Irwin of Catonsville; and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Robert C. Irwin was praised for his compassion.
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