Robert M. Cody, M.D.

07/15/1930 - 06/26/2024

Dr. Robert Mervyn Cody died on June 26, 2024, leaving behind a large loving family and a legacy of dedication to and excellence in the practice of medicine. Born July 15, 1930, in Bakersfield, California to Mervyn Joseph Cody and Geneva Stock Cody, he was the youngest of their three children. His older siblings Jack Cody and Bette Marsh preceded him in death.

Bob was just two years old when his father died. His family then moved to San Jose to live with his maternal grandparents John and Elizabeth Stock. Surrounded by the love and care of his grandparents, mother, and siblings, Bob thrived both academically and athletically. He attended Saint Patrick’s Grammar School and Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he was student body president and a star on the varsity basketball team, helping his team earn a spot in the Bellarmine Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob worked summers in the orchards of Santa Clara Valley, at the American Can Company and the U.S. Post Office to support himself through college. He pursued his higher education at the University of Santa Clara, earning a B.S. in Biology, and playing basketball on the Freshman team, followed by medical studies at Stanford University School of Medicine, earning an M.D. degree in 1957.

Bob was a devoted family man. He married his sweetheart Gretchen Schmitt in 1954 after completing his first year of medical school and they remained devoted to each other for the next 70 years. Together, they raised six children.

His medical career was marked by significant contributions, including roles as Assistant Chief Resident Medicine at Stanford University Hospitals and as

Chief Resident Medicine at San Mateo County General Hospital. He completed a Fellowship in Cardiopulmonary Diseases at Stanford University School of Medicine. He was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and later certified in Cardiovascular Diseases. He became a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. While in private medical practice, he served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. He held numerous volunteer leadership positions, including President of the San Mateo County Heart Association and President of the California Heart Association. He served as Chief of Medicine and Chief of Staff at Mills Memorial Hospital and later Chief of Staff of the combined Mills and Peninsula Hospitals.

Dr. Cody began his private medical practice in 1962 joining the San Mateo Medical Clinic and he later ventured into a solo private practice specializing in cardiology for the last 17 years of his career until his retirement in 1997.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cody received numerous awards and honors, including the American Heart Association’s Award of Merit, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Medical Association, and the de Guigne Award from the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation, the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation. He was also actively involved with his alma mater, serving as Class Representative for his Stanford Medical School graduating class and later as President of the Stanford Medical Alumni Association.

As a young doctor, Bob took a sabbatical from his practice in the late 1960s to volunteer his medical skills in Cartagena, Colombia for several months on the medical ship Project Hope. Gretchen joined him in South America after his duties on the ship ended and they enjoyed traveling around South America visiting multiple countries.

Bob loved sports and outdoor activities. He enjoyed playing tennis at the Peninsula Tennis Club and skiing at Tahoe, and was a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Giants, and Warriors. Watching professional games with his dear friend “Iowa Bob” Randolph was one of his favorite pastimes. After retiring, Bob took up saltwater fly fishing, encouraged by his longtime friend Dr. George Kammerer. After a few fishing trips to the Yucatan Peninsula, he earned the nickname “Bonefish Bob,” which he thought overstated his fly casting ability, but amused him nonetheless.

Summers and winters at the family home in Lake Tahoe were particularly special times, where Bob enjoyed skiing, boating, and spending time with his family.

Bob had a great sense of humor and especially enjoyed a good one-liner, all the better if it were at his own expense. In the 1960s when folk music was all the rage, he decided to learn to play the guitar. After months and months of lessons, he announced that no matter how much he practiced he kept getting worse, whereupon a dear friend and neighbor, Shirley, quipped, “That’s impossible, Bob!” He often repeated that well-placed line.

Bob had a deep love of learning. He pursued his thirst for knowledge by taking continuing education classes of all sorts in his retirement years, including studying opera, literature, history and other humanities. During his early years of retirement, he dedicated his time to researching and writing a comprehensive family history of his maternal ancestry.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gretchen, their six children and their (spouses): Jim (Liz), Beth (Jim), Greg (Jennifer), Margaret, Richard (Kerry), and Carolyn; 13 grandchildren: Kate, Robbie, Lauren, Sam, Sarah, Roger, Kendall, Danny, Connor, Kyle, Samantha, Nell and Alexandra; and one great-grandchild: Olivia, with two more great-grandchildren on the way. Affectionately known as “Papa Bob” to his grandchildren, he was a beloved figure in his family, cherished for his wisdom, warmth and unconditional love.

Robert Cody was a devout Catholic and a long-time parishioner at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame. He and Gretchen shared a remarkable life together, living in the same neighborhood in Burlingame for more than 61 years, creating countless cherished memories and maintaining lifelong friendships.

A Funeral Mass will be held in early August at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame.