Robert Asbury, MD

He was 6’5” tall, wore bow ties and was known to many as “Dr. A”. Bob was an Associate Professor, then Clinical Professor of Oncology for 17 years at the University of Rochester Cancer Center serving as Co-Head of its Genesee Hospital unit before becoming founding President of Interlakes Oncology and Hematology. At its founding, Interlakes was designed to offer cutting edge cancer care that was easily accessible to patients in their home communities. Its offices were located across five different Rochester communities. They later became part of the Wilmot Cancer Center. Bob was devoted to his patients and colleagues throughout his long career. So, when it came time for his own cancer care and bone marrow transplant, he knew that he wanted to stay at home in Rochester among friends and among the respected colleagues who had meant so much to him.

Bob was born in Montclair, New Jersey and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in his youth where he attended the nationally ranked inner- city magnet school, Walnut Hills. After an extraordinary year in Brazil as an AFS student, he went to Dartmouth College. He majored in economics graduating in three years summa cum laude before attending Dartmouth’s two- year medical school. He completed his medical degree at Harvard. Following two years of internship and residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital, he spent two years as a Clinical Associate at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and then moved to Rochester for a Fellowship in Cancer Medicine. During his career he was an author on more than 70 publications.

While Bob was active professionally in national and international organizations doing cancer research and trials, he also held leadership roles at home. He served as Chair of the Unity Health System Board and the Genesee Region Home Care (RGHC) Association. As Chair of the Hospice Committee for RGHC, he helped lead the establishment of Rochester’s first hospice and served as its first medical director as it got off the ground. Additionally, Bob was on the Board of Directors for Rochester Blue Cross Health, Finger Lakes Health System, Wheatland Chili School, Friends of Eastman Opera and Eastman International Museum of Photography. Bob enjoyed tennis, paddle, camping, golf, skiing, sailing, gardening, music, art, beekeeping, kayaking, bread making and always birdwatching! From his undergraduate days forward, he maintained a keen interest and study in economics.

Bob cherished his family and friends: his sister Jane Asbury Williams and husband Lincoln Williams (Boston) and their children Emily Daniels and Neil Williams; his brother in-law Toby Cosgrove (Cleveland) and his daughters Nicole Cosgrove and Britt Cosgrove and; his Brazilian family and brother Mario Manzoli (Sao Paulo). He marveled at the remarkable life he shared with his wife Jody Cosgrove Asbury, and their children and he took enormous pride in his daughters Margaret (Garet) Asbury Libbey (Cleveland) and Eleanor “Sydney” Asbury (Boston), and their spouses Matt Libbey and Mike Farrell. Nothing brought greater pleasure than learning about and watching the activities of his 5 grandchildren as they grew: Adelia Libbey, Preston Libbey, Dylan Farrell, Nathan Farrell and Morgan Farrell. 

Bob always described himself as extraordinarily “lucky” often using the Portuguese phrase, “Sortudo” to describe his good fortune. He was deeply grateful for all the riches of people and opportunities in his life. There will be a private family burial. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 19th from 4- 7 p.m. at Anthony Funeral Chapel, (2305 Monroe Avenue) and a Celebration of Life on Friday, June 20th will be held at the Country Club of Rochester at 1 pm. Donations in his memory may be directed to: The Walnut Hills Foundation, 2453 Gilbert Ave. Suite 203, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 or the James P. Wilmott Cancer Center, Rochester, New York, 14642.