Tribute to Robert Yetman, MD

He took care of me when I was a kid and when I had a child I decided I wanted to take my daughter to his clinic, I'm sad he is gone, but happy he got to meet my daughter even if she won't remember him.

I was honored to know Dr. Yetman through council activities and collaborative projects. His humor, thoughtful feedback, love of Disney, and, above all, his unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality care to patients will be fondly remembered.

I met Dr. Yetman over 10 years ago when I was a graduate student. My supervisor, Yen, had brought me to meet with him about a project. It was the first doctor I had met in-person at UT Physicians. I was surprised with how candid and humorous he was, and I loved it! Whenever he was able to join virtual meetings, I loved when he joined because he not only provided support and guidance but he also had a way of uplifting the mood and making everyone smile. I will forever be grateful for all the support he provided on projects and papers over the years. He will be very missed and we will try our best to carry on the joy he shared with us.

I am the Executive Director of Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. We hsve a longstanding partnership with UT McGovern Medical School for the operation of the CPS Clinic on Chimney Rock now known as the Integrated Health Services Clinic. Our County Department has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Dr. Yetman in the operation of the Clinic. He provided the leadership and consultation needed for the program to grow and be a resource for students and residents. He was always a highly committed passionate person who always had time to talk with us when we needed his input or consultation. He always made us feel like a priority. He will be missed. May his memory be for a blessing.

So many memories from the short time I was privileged to work with Dr. Yetman. So, I will be brief. He cared, passionately for each infant, child, and adult who walked through those doors. He was intense at times, hilarious at times, but behind both was the heart of a human who just cared deeply. His desire was that each patient received the highest level of quality care possible, and leave CMHH better than when they arrived. I think we are all a little better at what we do because of knowing you.

Dr. Yetman was an exceptional physician, mentor, and multitasking human being whose kindness, knowledge, and sense of humor touched everyone around him. He was always willing to help, whether supporting new ideas and innovations, contributing to research teams, or sharing a joke that brightened the day. Many of us will fondly remember our study meetings, where he not only shared his expertise but also different stories, making every conversation engaging and memorable. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered with gratitude, admiration, and respect.

There are no words to accurately describe how amazing Dr. Yetman was, not just as a physician, but also as a person, a friend, a mentor, an attending, and as an educator. He lived his life to the fullest and was always there to make people laugh. It was an honor to work with him and he will forever be missed. He is truly the definition of the quote “live the life you love, love the life you live.” We love and miss you Dr. Yetman-thank you for all of the wonderful memories!

Dr. Yetman was an amazing human being and mentor. I am deeply saddened by his passing. Thank you for always teaching us with a smile on your face. You are greatly missed.

I first met Dr. Yetman when I started medical school at UT Houston (as it was known then) in 1995. He was most influential (along with Dr. Farnie and Dr. Crandell) in me choosing Med-Peds as a speciality. I could always count on him not matter what; for advice, listening, humor, and general caring. I too remember his retirement goal of serving popcorn at Disney and his "overpaid and underworked, living the dream mantra!" He will never be forgotten and I hope he is smiling down at us with a drink in hand, along with his popcorn and Disney ears! Robert, I will strive to carry on all that you taught me! I love and miss you!

Someone who had worked in several industries (including NASA) once said, “Doctors are the busiest people I have ever worked with.” Of all the doctors I have ever known, Dr. Yetman worked harder than anyone. From 6 a.m. meetings to countless weekends, he never seemed to stop. Even when he took time off, it was only to go to Disney or to work uninterrupted in his office. I remember finally getting a meeting with him when he was my boss. During our brief conversation, he showed me his calendar. At times, he was triple-booked with meetings. Yet he told me something I have never forgotten: despite everything on his schedule, the most important meeting was the one he was having with me. I do not remember his exact words, but he made it clear that no matter how many responsibilities he carried, he genuinely cared about the people he worked with. I will never understand how he managed all that he did. Perhaps it was powered by Diet Coke and chocolate. What I do understand is the impact he had on those around him. He touched countless lives through his leadership, mentorship, and kindness. We will never forget him, nor the many ways he made a difference in the lives of others.

Bob and I go back to 1980s. We were residents together. Over the years much joking, arguing and the occasional Margarita (s) at Goode Company Taqueria. We actually had some educational sessions there, hashing out guidelines, protocols, etc. After one encounter we left on what I thought was a happy note. I got in my car and started the engine and suddenly there he was pounding on my window yelling at me. Don't go, don't go, don't go. I rolled the window down and started laughing at him. Then he started laughing and could not talk. A few choice words back and forth were exchanged, he knowing that I was questioning his sanity like always. Then he said; " turn your car off, the wheels are missing ". Sure enough during the middle of the day, while we were eating , someone had stolen my wheels on the passenger side and the car was up on blocks. His solution like usual, was yet another quip: " I'll take another margarita while we wait for the wrecker" It was like this weekly, me griping at him about something and vice versa. He will indeed be missed.

Dr. Yetman was such a great person and Pediatrician. He was the first pediatrician to see my 3 children in the first day of life the, first being born in 2004 and throughout the years growing up. I also got the chance to work with him and he was such a smart, sarcastically funny person who would do anything for his staff. I will always remember his jokes and laughter and how he made the children smile.

Dr. Yetman is an humble, smart, sarcastic, truthful man. I will miss him so much in our Friday clinic. So goofy about things. Won't get to hear the " There is no hand sanitizer !!" or " Can you enter the vaccines for me, because you know I will mess it up ." or " Can you see what's going on with this computer, giving me a damn hard time! " Friday clinic w/o Dr. Yetman will never be the same. His dream retirement job: He wanted to work at a popcorn stand at Disney. I will always tell him " I want to be like you when I grow up, just travel and don't care about anything " I Will never forget the day he stopped in the middle of clinic to pull me into a room because I was so quiet. I was so frustrated and crying. He helped me decide if to drop a college class, he talked to me, and said "If your stressing about work, kids, college, and don't feel ready to take the damn class drop it, it is not a race woman !" and he shared with me with a grin he almost didn't graduate over a class and had to retake it. So, Yes I dropped the class, took it the next semester and passed it " I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him, and the example he set. Dr. Yetman's legacy will live on through the many lives he touched. Fly high Dr. Yetman. Now my son has a doctor to take care of him up there.

I had the honor and privilege of serving with Dr. Yetman on Community Health Choice’s Medical Care Management Committee for several years. He was the backbone of that committee. No one was more prepared than Dr. Yetman for each meeting as he was passionate about protecting the welfare of the community.

Dr. Yetman's legacy will live on through the many lives he touched. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him, and I will always remember his positive influence and the example he set.

Cheerful, sarcastic, brutally honest, always ready to help. I'm glad to have known Robert Yetman and will miss him.

I started working with Dr. Yetman almost 30 years ago. Over the years, he also became the pediatrician for both of my children, who are now 27 and 30. He always asked about them and genuinely cared about how they were doing. When my son left for college, he even made sure he got him connected with a good PCP to look after him while he was away. It was truly an honor to work with Dr. Yetman and to know him for so many years. His kindness, compassion, and dedication touched so many lives, including my family's. He will be deeply missed.

Dr. Yetman, you will always be that one of a kind friend, mentor, coworker, and pediatrician! I remember our times (with Farnie, Ashley, and so many others) in Red Pod being marked by so much light, love, and laughter. I hope you know how much we learned from you (in life and in all things peds). Hope you are somewhere laughing hysterically, with a good drink in hand, surrounded by those you love.

I was incredibly blessed to work alongside him for 20 years. I'll miss his smile, his wisdom, funny sarcasm, and the countless conversations we shared about life, family, and personal growth. We saw each other through some of our best times and some of our hardest times, but no matter what life brought, we always stayed friends and always kept in touch. One thing I'll never forget was his favorite response whenever someone asked how he was doing. With a grin, he'd say, "Oh, you know… underworked and overpaid, living the life!" We all laughed because the opposite was true. He wore so many hats throughout his career, yet carried every responsibility with grace, humility, and a sense of humor. His dream retirement job always made me smile. He wanted to work at a popcorn stand at Disney, where he could have the least amount of responsibility while still having fun and making people smile. He'd joke that his only job would be asking, "Small, medium, or large popcorn?" Somehow, that simple dream captured exactly who he was.

We hope that you find this tribute to Robert a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

Everyone grieves in a way that is unique to them. If you need to speak to a bereavement expert please visit the GriefChat section at www.muchloved.com which is a completely free service where you can remain anonymous if you prefer.