Robert Leonard Diaz

Robert L. Diaz, 86, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 19th, 2022. Bob was born on April 19th, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York to Leonard Manuel Diaz and Doris Marshall Diaz. His family moved several times before settling in Baldwin, New York on Long Island where he graduated from Baldwin High School. He attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA continuing on to Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia and completing his orthopedic training at Cornell University Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Bob served 2 years in the United States Army prior to beginning his career in private practice as an orthopedic surgeon. He was invited to join the private orthopedic practice of Lichtblau, Hoover, and Ford in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was one of the first doctors to perform total hip arthroplasty at St. Mary’s Hospital. He later joined Dr. Bruce Waxman in private practice and was a co-founder of the Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute. He was instrumental in the operational beginnings of the “Jupiter Hospital”. He finished his career in private practice and retired from medicine in 2009.

Bob loved the South Florida lifestyle full of adventures enjoying many years of boating and fishing. He loved to ski, was an avid reader, a lover of dogs, and spent hours practicing the art of playing banjo. After his retirement, he spent a great deal of time in the mountains of Cashiers, NC.

In addition to his loving wife Teresa, he is survived by his 2 children, Robert Diaz, Jr. and Susan Walker, and former son-in-law Bear Walker. He also had 3 beautiful grandchildren, Dakota Walker, Makenzie Walker, and Bella Walker. He was predeceased by his former wife Barbara Price.

The family would like to thank the members of Bob’s healthcare team who cared for him, including his primary care physician Craig Prokos, Dr. Edit Tolnai, and Dr. Andres Suarez. Also a special thanks to his dedicated caregivers, Geraldine Dera and Geti Talabert.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to one of the following: Golden Retriever Rescue of South Florida or Jupiter Medical Center Foundation.

A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, June 24, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458, followed by a funeral service from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockfuneralhomejupiter.com for the Diaz family.