Brian J. Baldwin, M.D.

Brian Jay Baldwin set the truest example of a life well-lived. He was honorable and loyal and the best of men. He was born September 23, 1938, in Schenectady, NY, the oldest of 3 sons, to the late John J. (Zeke) and Helene (Leahy) Baldwin. Raised in Bethesda, MD, Brian graduated from St. John’s College High School in 1956. He received a B.A. in Biological Sciences from George Washington University in 1960 and his M.D. from the University of Maryland in 1965, where he was Editor of the Student AMA Newspaper, Chapter President and Regional VP of the Student AMA, and President of the Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. Dr. Baldwin did his post-graduate residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland from 1965-1967, followed by a Cardiology fellowship at Emory University/Grady Memorial Hospital from 1967-1970. From 1970-1972, Dr. Baldwin practiced cardiology at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital in San Antonio, TX, earning the rank of major. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Dr. Baldwin began his cardiology practice at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas, TX, in 1972, transitioning to UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2015, where he remained on staff until 2019.

Dr. Baldwin had a long and distinguished career in medicine. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, Clinical Council of Cardiology (American Heart Association), and Laennec Society. He served as Chief of Staff at St. Paul Hospital, President of the Dallas Division of the American Heart Association, and was a Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at UT Southwestern Medical School. In 1988, Dr. Baldwin was 1 of 2 physicians chosen to establish the heart and lung transplant program at St. Paul Hospital. He was Chief of Cardiology at St. Paul Hospital from 1992-2005 and recipient of the Aesculapius Award for excellence in teaching. In addition, Dr. Baldwin served as team physician to the Jesuit College Preparatory School football team from 1980-1995. “Doc” or “Dr. B”, as he was often called, touched the lives of many through his compassion and care in their times of medical need, and he continued to care for his patients until the time of his death.

Brian was a renaissance man. He was the epitome of a lifelong learner and had many hobbies. He loved to read, especially autobiographies of U.S. Presidents. Brian was an avid gardener and loved mowing his lawn and lawns, in general. He could sometimes be seen driving down Inwood Road on his John Deere riding mower to mow his daughter’s lawn after he finished his own. Brian anticipated the arrival of the Purple Martins each spring, and he could name every type of native Texas tree, insisting they be trimmed properly. He was famous for showing up with a chainsaw when one of his children purchased a home. Brian began painting in 2005 and won awards for his landscapes. He loved classical music, especially Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. If you attend his funeral, he will expect you to sing loudly. Brian was a numismatist and expert on U.S. large cents and U.S. Bust Half Dollars. He was a long-time member of Bent Tree Country Club, always striving to improve his golf game. He loved Johnny Unitas, Henny Youngman one-liners, bread pudding, and dogs, particularly his German Shepherds—Beau, Toby and Buddy. Brian was a storyteller extraordinaire. His secret was to begin laughing at the start of the storytelling which only made the stories funnier. He never forgot a name, including those of his patients and their family members.

Brian loved spending time with his grandchildren. He truly knew each of them—what they were interested in and their hopes and dreams. He leaves behind a closet full of collegiate gear from each of his grandchildren’s alma maters. Go Cougars, Horned Frogs, Irish, Mean Green, Razorbacks, Tigers, Trojans, Wildcats and Yellow Jackets! Brian was dearly loved by his family and will be sorely missed.

Brian was a devout Catholic and, after God, he loved his family (even more than he loved being a physician). Brian married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Peggy Boone, on November 26, 1960, and together they raised 4 children. Brian is survived by Peggy and their children: Meg Baldwin Squiers and her husband, Jay, of Dallas; Kathy Baldwin Sears, M.D., of Dallas; Brian J. Baldwin, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Aubrey, TX; and Beth Baldwin Hagewood and her husband, Bob, of Dallas. Brian is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren: Jack Squiers, M.D., his wife, Cristina, and their 3 children (Lucy, Ana and Henry); Kate Squiers, M.D.; Will Squiers; Tom Sears; Amy Sears; Whit Sears; Bobbie Lauren Baldwin; Maddie Baldwin and her husband, Austin Carr; Jake Baldwin; Jack Hagewood; and Ellie Hagewood. Finally, Brian is survived by his brother, Sean Baldwin and his wife, Lynn, of Troy, NY; his sister-in-law Susan Baldwin of Williamsburg, VA; and 18 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Brian is preceded in death by his brother, Kevin Baldwin.

The Baldwin Family would like to thank those who helped cared for our dad, especially Vitaly Margulis, M.D., Hugh McClung, M.D., and Suzanne Cole, M.D. We are truly grateful.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Brian’ s life will be held at St. Rita Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 12th, at 1:00 p.m. His cremated remains will be buried in a private service at the

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In honor of Brian’s life’s work as a cardiologist, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Southwestern Medical Foundation in support of the Brian J. Baldwin, M.D. Heart and Lung Transplant Fund at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Memorial contributions may be mailed to 3889 Maple Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75219 or made online at https://swmedical.org/makeagift.