Robert David Stacks M.D.

Robert Stacks of Newton passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022. He was born April 1941 to the late Ada and Nathan Stacks. He grew up in Jamaica Plain. He graduated from Boston Latin School, valedictorian at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and the Medical College of Virginia He completed his internship at Floating Hospital, New England Medical Center. He served as a Lieutenant Commander at Jacksonville Naval Hospital.

Dr. Stacks practiced Pediatrics at Bowers and Stacks which grew to become Roslindale Pediatrics from 1971 to 2014. His experience growing up in his father's drugstore enabled him to use his management skills in administering an ever-growing practice. He mentored countless physicians and nurses in their training. He was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts, Chair of Pediatrics at St Elizabeth's Hospital, and Chief of Pediatrics at Faulkner Hospital. He was on staff at Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's. In 1983 he was a guest lecturer at Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai China. He received many honors including Boston Magazine Best Pediatrician, Best Doctors in America, and Children's Hospital Community Physician of the Year. He had numerous clinical, teaching, administrative, and advisory positions in the healthcare system in Boston.

Dr. Stacks spent his professional career advancing interprofessional approaches to healthcare, using his training as both a pharmacist and physician to participate in the advocacy of pediatric healthcare locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. He designed and supervised multiple community practice based drug and vaccine trials for pediatric and adolescent populations. He grew a practice from two doctors and one nurse in a home based office to a staff of over forty physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and social workers. He personally supervised the beautiful architectural designs of his offices. His patients came from many diverse communities. He treated royalty and the underserved population with the same dignity, respect, and humor. He loved them all.

Dr. Stacks helped establish the Surgeon's Lodge of the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police, an organization whose advocacy in the medical community aided those who serve us in the greater community. He served as Medical Advisor on the Board of Cops for Kids with Cancer, an organization that provides financial support to families as their children endure oncological treatment.

Dr. Stacks enjoyed the finer things in life. His patients loved to look out his office window to see what he was driving. The parents loved to check out what he was wearing, where in the world he had recently travelled, or what new restaurant globally he would recommend. He was a good friend and confidante to everyone he met. Every patient earned a nickname. He never lost his boyish buoyancy and wonderful sense of humor. He was always ready to give a loving hug.

Dr. Stacks is survived by his loving wife of nearly thirty years, Leslie Bornstein Stacks, his children Nelson and Abby Stacks, Jonathan and Jennifer Bornstein, Lynne and Bill Bermont, and Steven Ostrovitz and his grandchildren Sabrina, Isabelle, Sophie, Raina, Rachel, Jordan, and Gabrielle. He is also survived by his brother, Herbert Stacks and his partner Sharon Yarlas. He was predeceased by his wife Sandra and his oldest daughter Judith Stacks Ostrovitz.

The funeral will be held at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton Centre on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 11:00am. Masks and vaccination are required. Burial to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon MA. To view the service by livestream, https://www.templeemanuel.com/livestream-links/?stream=chiel

Memorial observance will be held at the Ledgebrook Clubhouse, 261 Nahanton Street, Newton on Thursday following the burial until 5:00pm and continuing from 6:30-8:30pm, Friday 1:00-3:00pm, and Sunday 1:00-4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Emanuel, www.templeemanuel.com or Cops for Kids with Cancer, www.copsforkidswithcancer.org