Obituaries

Dr. Robert Bruce Salmon, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away December 21, 2009, after a lengthy and valiant battle against leukemia. Dr. Salmon was born July 6, 1931, in Auburn, Alabama, the son of the late William Davis and Helen Bowman Salmon.

Hard work, high standards, a sense of adventure, and devotion to his family were the hallmarks of Dr. Salmon’s life. He played college football as a walk-on defensive linebacker for the Auburn Tigers until injuries and the demands of working on the family dairy farm forced him to give it up. In 1954, he graduated with honors from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, as he planned to remain in farming. After serving his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, his eldest brother and an esteemed uncle encouraged him to attend medical school, which he always credited with being among the best advice of his life. In 1961, he graduated from Washington University School of Medicine, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honorary society. He served a medical internship at Yale Medical Center and completed his residency at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Barnes Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine. He then served on the faculty for two years.

In 1967, Dr. Salmon joined Charlotte Radiology as its third diagnostic radiologist. He was a pioneer in bringing new radiological procedures to Charlotte. He became recognized as an expert in the field of catheter angiography to locate the source of gastrointestinal bleeding and the embolization of renal arteries in patients with renal tumors. As his interest in the subspecialty of neuroradiology grew, he took the lead in the new and exciting field of computerized tomography of the brain. After the first EMI scanner was installed at Charlotte Memorial Hospital (now Carolinas Medical Center) (the first such “CAT” scanner in Charlotte and one of only two at the time in North Carolina), Dr. Salmon took charge of its operation and development and was a driving force in this rapidly developing technology. As new technologies were introduced, particularly in neuroradiology, he remained a leader and innovator in their utilization and growth. Dr. Salmon was a member of the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Neuroradiology.

Dr. Salmon is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Gail C. Salmon; his children, Katharine Cary and her husband Brian, of Charlotte; and Robert Bruce Salmon, Jr. and his wife Janice, of Rochester, NY; and six cherished grandchildren: Caroline, Laura Scott, and Davis Cary; and Rob, Tara, and Eddie Salmon. He is also survived by his brother Thaddeus Salmon and his wife Mabel of Alabama; his sister Jane Jones of Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dr. William Salmon and Richard Salmon.

The family wishes to thank the many outstanding health care professionals who cared for Dr. Salmon, especially Dr. John Mahoney and Dr. Peter Justis.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dr. Salmon will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210-0093;  Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region South, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226; or Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500 Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC, 28206.