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Robert Wiens, M.D.: 1943-2017

05/12/2017

Robert (Bob) Wiens, M.D., professor emeritus in the department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) died Wednesday, May 10, 2017. He was 73.

Robert Wiens
Robert Wiens, M.D.

Wiens came to SLU in 1971 and stayed with the university until his retirement in 2001. 

Wiens was born Sept. 21, 1943, in Canada. He attended the University of Manitoba for both undergraduate and medical school. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1986.

After a residency in Winnipeg, Wiens came to St. Louis in 1971 as a fellow in cardiology. He became the director of the out-patient cardiology clinic in 1973.

“He was an excellent cardiologist,” said Bernard Chaitman, M.D., a SLUCare cardiologist and professor of cardiology. “He also loved to teach. Students and house staff would seek him out and he always made the time for them.”

Wiens made a name for himself nationally and was on a list of doctors listed as the “physician on call” for visiting presidents.

Wiens diagnosed himself with Parkinson’s disease in the 1980s. Parkinson’s is a neurological disease that causes tremors, slow movements and problems with speech.

“He continued to practice and teach,” Chaitman said. “It was important to him. He was such a team player, always willing to chip in to help.”

Wiens had a deep brain stimulator implanted in 2000 to help control tremors.

“He loved to sing and participated in our Tremble Clefs choir,” said Debbie Guyer, executive director of the American Parkinson Disease Association-Greater St. Louis Chapter. “He participated in our exercise class and watched the live-stream at home when he couldn’t be here.”

When Wiens retired in 2001, Douglas Miller, M.D., then-chair of the department of internal medicine, noted the contribution of Wiens and his wife Lynda to the School of Medicine.

“They have repeatedly dedicated their time and effort to causes and initiatives that raised the profile of the University and the Medical Center,” Miller wrote. “Their involvement in the American Heart Association, Saint Louis University Auxiliary, Auxiliary House and numerous other activities has enriched our professional and personal lives on a recurring basis.”

Lynda Wiens said her husband continued to stay up to date on his profession.

“He read journals and would email his former students with comments on their articles,” she said. “I even found him taking a CME course at one point. It was so much a part of his life - he missed it.”

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynda; two sons, Garth and Grant; daughter-in-law Robyn Viloria Wiens; and grandchildren June and Eve Wiens.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, at Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis MO 63131. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.