The lung cancer research community lost a respected leader and significant contributor to the field with the passing of Robert B. Livingston, MD, a Professor of Medicine and Hematology-Oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. He died at home in Tucson, Arizona, on September 8, 2016, at age 75. Dr. Livingston embarked on his career after graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and completing a residency there in internal medicine in 1971. He then undertook a fellowship in developmental therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center until 1973. Dr. Livingston spent more than 30 years investigating both lung and breast cancers during his career in clinical research, and he was known as a leading international advocate and expert on both clinical research and clinical trials. Dr. Livingston formerly chaired the Lung Cancer and the Breast Cancer Committees of the Southwest Oncology Group, and in 2008, he was chosen by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America.” Among his many scientific contributions to oncology, Dr. Livingston was among the first to introduce the use of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation for limited small cell lung cancer and stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer.
“Though Bob was among the most respected leaders in the fields of both lung and breast cancer for decades and was in high demand for both when I began working with him, he generously shared his time and wisdom because he enjoyed teaching as much as he enjoyed working with his patients. Beyond what the oncology literature told us, he shared the clinical pearls you can only get from working closely with someone day after day who has deep experience. That he was also such a kind and humble person only made me more grateful for that opportunity.” – H. Jack West, MD Medical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, Swedish Cancer Institute
