It is with deep sadness that the American Pediatric Society remembers the members who have passed away. We honor their dedication to APS and their meaningful contributions to pediatrics and child health.

The following list recognizes members who passed away in 2026. Past announcements may be viewed below by year.

This list is based on information shared with APS by colleagues, friends, and family members. If you would like to notify APS of the passing of a member, please contact the APS office.

RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS

Ekhard E. Ziegler – 2026

1940 – 2026

Ekhard Ziegler, MD, passed away peacefully at his home on October 29, 2026, at the age of 86, following a long battle with dementia. A celebration of his life is planned for spring 2027. In accordance with his wishes, his body was donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.

Born Ekhard Erich Ziegler on April 12, 1940, in Lenzing, Austria, he was the son of Erich and Erna (Schweng) Ziegler. When he was 11, he moved to Salzburg to live with his grandmother so that he could continue his education beyond the fourth grade offered in his village. He later recalled the many hours spent traveling by train between Lenzing and Salzburg and the close bonds he formed with his cousins there. Dr. Ziegler went on to study medicine at the University of Innsbruck, earning his medical degree in 1964.

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Ian Burr

Ian Meadows Burr – 2026

1936 – 2026

Ian Meadows Burr, MD, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 90. A distinguished physician, scientist, educator, and mentor, Dr. Burr devoted his career to pediatric endocrinology, research, and academic medicine.

Born May 25, 1936, in Tallangatta, Australia, Dr. Burr graduated from the University of Melbourne Medical School and earned his PhD from Monash University. His career included research and clinical work at the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Geneva before joining Vanderbilt University in 1971 as Professor of Pediatrics, an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institution, and Director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. In 1986, he joined the University of Florida College of Medicine as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

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John D. Nelson – 2026

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. John D. Nelson at age 95. He was one of the early founders of the field of pediatric infectious diseases, and had a long distinguished career as a brilliant and caring pediatrician, infectious diseases specialist, mentor and researcher, earning international recognition. He set high standards for clinical research and publications, and for those of us who were fortunate to work with him, we knew that we could do no less than our absolute best for him. He encouraged and supported the work of his colleagues and trainees for over 5 decades.

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Steven Edward Lipshultz – 2026

1954–2026

Steven Edward Lipshultz, MD, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, in Rochester, New York, at the age of 72, surrounded by his family.

Born in Tenafly, New Jersey, on March 25, 1954, Dr. Lipshultz grew up with his brothers, Richard and Jack. From an early age, he pursued many interests, including photography, reading, football, languages, and the outdoors. He became an accomplished photographer, played football at Tenafly High School, and became proficient in Spanish while participating in an exchange program in Mexico. His love of nature continued throughout his life through decades of service as a camp counselor and physician in New Hampshire and summers studying marine science at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

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James F. Padbury – 2026

James F. Padbury, MD, passed away suddenly after a long and distinguished career in pediatrics, neonatology, research, and academic medicine.

Born in Helena, Montana, Dr. Padbury later moved with his family to Orange County, California. He studied chemistry and biology at the University of California, Irvine, earned his medical degree from UCLA, and completed training at UCSF/Zuckerberg San Francisco General and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Padbury joined Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, eventually becoming Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Neonatology. In 1995, he joined Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School and spent the next 25 years as Pediatrician-in-Chief at Women & Infants. Under his leadership, its neonatal program expanded significantly, including the opening of the nation’s largest single-family-room NICU in 2009.

A dedicated physician-scientist, Dr. Padbury maintained continuous NIH funding for more than 40 years. His research advanced understanding of adrenergic receptor biology in newborns, placental epigenetics, and the genomics of preterm birth. He also held leadership roles at the NIH and helped foster the careers of early-stage investigators through Brown’s COBRE in Perinatal Biology.

Following his time at Brown, Dr. Padbury returned to California and joined the pediatric faculty at UCSF. He is survived by his wife, Mary, their four children and their spouses, five grandchildren, and many friends and colleagues. His family will honor his memory by spreading his ashes while sailing to Catalina, a place that held special meaning through his love of running and sailing.

James (Jay) Wilkinson – 2026

James Dean “Jay” Wilkinson, MD, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at age 73. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he made lasting contributions as a pediatric physician, scientist, educator, and mentor, touching the lives of children, families, colleagues, and trainees.

Dr. Wilkinson was born in Ohio and spent much of his youth in Flint, Michigan, before moving with his family to Tampa, Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and his medical degree from the University of South Florida. After completing his pediatric residency at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, he pursued fellowship training in pediatric critical care medicine and anesthesiology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Wilkinson is remembered for his dedication to pediatric medicine as well as the warmth, generosity, humor, and friendship he brought to those around him.

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Delbert H. Dayton, Jr. – 2026

1931 – 2026

Delbert H. Dayton Jr., MD, died on May 25, 2026, in Connecticut at the age of 95. Born in East Toledo on July 28, 1931, Dr. Dayton was a 1949 graduate of Waite High School.

He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in 1953 before continuing his medical education at the University of Cincinnati, where he received his MD in 1957.

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L. Leighton Hill – 2026

1928 – 2026

Louis Leighton Hill, MD, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at the age of 97. He is remembered as a pioneering physician whose leadership and contributions helped shape medical care and education in Houston.

Born December 19, 1928, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Hill was the son of Harry Leighton and Doris Wax Hill. Leadership was evident early in his life. He became an Eagle Scout and served as president of his high school class throughout all four years. A talented athlete, he captained his high school football team and earned All-State honors as a running back. Among his proudest memories were his team’s state championship victories in 1944 and 1945.

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Martin Lees – 2026

1929 – 2026

Martin Henry Lees, MD, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, in Wilsonville, Oregon, at age 96, with his family by his side.

Born in London, England, on May 11, 1929, Dr. Lees served in the Royal Navy from 1947 to 1949 before pursuing his medical education. Following his military service, he enrolled at St. Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London and received his medical degree in 1955.

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