KSU Foundation trustee and alumnus Dr. Robert A. Lipson remembered
Kennesaw State University lost a true friend and dedicated advocate of the university when Dr. Robert A. Lipson‚ president and CEO of WellStar Health System‚ passed away Nov. 10 in a motorcycle accident.
Georgia
(Nov 13, 2006) — Kennesaw State University lost a true friend and dedicated advocate of the university
when Dr. Robert A. Lipson‚ president and CEO of WellStar Health System‚ passed away
Nov. 10 in a motorcycle accident.
The community paid tribute to Lipson during a memorial service at KSU’s Convocation
Center Monday‚ Nov. 13. Speakers included Dr. Rachel Lipson‚ his daughter; Aaron Lipson‚
his son; Marsha Burke‚ interim CEO of WellStar; and Dr. Gregory Simone and Dr. Robert
Jansen‚ friends and colleagues.
“He was a true friend to Kennesaw State University‚” President Daniel S. Papp said.
“His death is a tragedy for the Lipson family‚ northwest Georgia and this university.”
The KSU Foundation trustee and alumnus was widely known for his expertise in medicine‚
business and even art.
Lipson practiced internal medicine for more than 25 years before joining the WellStar
Health System in 1993 in an administrative role. When he recognized the need for physicians
to have a deeper knowledge of business‚ he enrolled in KSU’s fledgling physician executive
MBA program and was a member of the first graduating class in 1997.
Lipson’s connection with the university continued to flourish after he became the
CEO of WellStar in 2001. He was instrumental in the former College of Health and Human
Services being renamed the WellStar College of Health and Human Services in 2003‚
following WellStar’s $3.1 million gift to the college.
“Rob was a strong advocate of Kennesaw State University; he led by example‚” said
Bob Prillaman‚ KSU Foundation trustee. “It’s because of his enormous efforts the university
boasts the WellStar College of Health and Human Services. He was also a huge proponent
of the new Health Sciences Building recently added to a list of funding priorities
by the Board of Regents. Thanks to Rob's wonderful support for these projects and
others‚ his influence will be felt for years to come.”
In 2005‚ Lipson‚ on behalf of WellStar‚ was honored with the Erwin Zaban Prize for
Entrepreneurial Spirit by the KSU Foundation.
“During his time on our board‚ and with his work relating to the university‚ specifically
in health care‚ he consistently demonstrated a deep respect for education and for
the free enterprise system‚” Thomas M. Holder‚ KSU Foundation Board of Trustees chair‚
said.
Recently‚ Lipson’s photography was featured during a month−long exhibit at KSU’s Sturgis
Library Gallery. The 48−piece collection included vivid color photographs he snapped
over a 35−year time span.
Several years ago‚ Lipson appeared in front of the camera for a successful advertising
campaign on behalf of the university and was featured in publications such as Atlanta
Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend.
Lipson is survived by his wife of 38 years‚ Livvy Kazer Lipson; his daughter‚ Dr.
Rachel Ellen Lipson; his son‚ Aaron William Lipson; his daughter−in−law‚ Leslie Kulbersh
Lipson; his granddaughter‚ Karen Elaine Lipson; his mother‚ Ann Lackey Lipson; his
brother‚ Arthur E. Lipson; and his sister‚ Phyllis L. Loff.
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
