Robert Haslett McCollough, M.D. Obituary (1936

Robert "Bob" Haslett McCollough, M.D., age 79 of Gainesville, FL passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Robert was born in Atlanta, GA on December 12, 1936 to Robert Walter McCollough and Ruth Elizabeth Wellborn. In 1946, the McCollough Family moved to Ft. Myers, FL where Bob eventually became the president of his high school student body and the Key Club. He attended the University of Florida 1954-1958, and then attended the University Of Florida College Of Medicine 1958-1962. While in medical school, Bob was elected to AOA Honor Medical Society and received the John B. Gorrie Award which is awarded each year to the graduating medical student having the best all-round promise for becoming a physician of the highest type. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine 1962-1963 at Shands Teaching Hospital. Bob served in the United States Public Health Service in Communicable Disease Center, stationed in Kansas City, Kansas 1963-1965, where he ran and completed a large study of children involving the booster effect of Sabin polio vaccine in children previously vaccinated with Salk polio vaccine. He did his residency in Internal medicine 1965-1967 on the Harvard Medical Service at Boston City Hospital. Third year residency 1967-1968 in endocrinology and cardiology at Shands Teaching Hospital under W.C. Thomas, Jr. M.D. and W. Jape Taylor, M.D. Dr. McCollough entered private practice 1968 in Gainesville with his colleagues and friends Drs. Andrews, Cunningham and Dace; forming the Gainesville Medical Group, practicing at Alachua General Hospital. The GMG was instrumental in attracting Hospital Corporation of America to build a hospital in Gainesville, which led to the surrounding North Florida Regional physicians' office park. Dr. McCollough was president of the Florida Diabetes Association in 1973 and served as Chief of Staff at NFRMC 1976. He was board certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine; and Hospice and Palliative Care. He was recognized as an accomplished clinician and educator; practicing for 45 years, the last 15 of which were with Haven Hospice. His interest in philosophy led him to hospice work, and to become a Hospice Medical Director. He was affectionately known as "Dr. Bob" by the hospice staff, his patients, and their families. Dr. Bob was loved by all for providing compassionate care with gentleness and respect. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Nancy L. McCollough and four children- Dr. Mark McCollough (Robin), Dr. Linda McCollough, Cynthia Thibault (Mike) and Erin Sellers (John). He loved his children and grandchildren and was proud of their accomplishments. Mark is a Radiation Oncologist, Linda a Veterinarian, Cynthia a Jeweler, and Erin a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He had 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Jane Elizabeth McCollough. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday March 6, 2016 at the Milam Funeral Home Chapel in Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Haven Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606 or to a church or charity of your choice. Bob and his family were especially grateful for the love and compassion provided to them by Bob's Haven Hospice Family.