The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) is deeply saddened by the passing of Robert D. Allaben, MD, on March 15, 2018. He was 87.
Dr. Allaben joined ASTS in 1975 and attended the initial formation meetings of the Society. He was one of the first kidney transplant surgeons in Michigan and served as president of the Transplant Society of Michigan (Gift of Life Michigan) and Speaker of the House of the Michigan State Medical Society, as well as holding leadership positions with the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and numerous local medical associations.
He graduated from the University of Michigan and received his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, followed by an internship at Women’s Hospital and residency at Harper Hospital, both in Detroit. He went on to become Vice Chief, Department of Surgery at Harper Hospital and then Chief, Section of Transplantation at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in 1974. He retired from medicine in 1993 as Chief of Surgery for Grace Hospital.
Dr. Allaben is survived by his wife Joan, 3 children, 4 step-children, 13 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his brothers, Lawrence and John Randolph (Randy) Allaben and his first wife, Ruth Six Allaben.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wayne State University School of Medicine Scholarship Fund or to the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute Research Endowment.