Gift of Life Mourns the Loss Of Founding Board Member James Robert Beshear

The Gift of Life Foundation family joins children’s health advocates across our community and state in mourning the loss of Gift of Life Founding Board member James Robert Beshear, M.D.

 Affectionately known as "Dr. Bob" to thousands of Alabama families, he passed away peacefully in Montgomery on September 3, 2026, at the age of 84, following an extended illness.

 Dr. Bob was a tremendous leader in our community, founding Physicians to Children in Montgomery in 1977. For 45 years, he cared for thousands of Alabama children and was a tireless advocate for them both locally and statewide.

 Dr. Bob was the driving force that birthed The Gift of Life Foundation in 1988, because he recognized the critical need to address the community’s high infant mortality rate, connect vulnerable women to obstetrical care early in pregnancy, and give all babies a fighting chance to be born healthy and to thrive.

 The Gift of Life honors Dr. Bob Beshear and his legacy, which is memorialized in our building with a special conference room named in his honor.

 He used his voice to inspire change and help move the state to action on infant mortality, and as a result, thousands of mothers and babies who have been served by The Gift of Life since its inception are equipped with the tools they need for a great beginning. We're proud to further his legacy through our work and will do so until every Alabama baby is born healthy.