Robert C. Krissinger M.D., 89, of Lancaster, PA died on November 19, 2021. Bob was born on May 5, 1932 in Syracuse NY to the late Richard H and Katherine C Krissinger. He was predeceased by Ann, his wife of nearly 62 years, and by his brother, David Krissinger. He is survived by children John R. Krissinger (Sheri) of Macungie, PA, Susan K. Trinchere (John) of Huddleston, VA, and Richard A. Krissinger (Laurie Cochran) of Elmhurst, IL, as well as nine caring grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
Bob did his undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, and interned at St. Francis General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. After 3 years as a general medical officer in the U.S. Air Force in France and Germany, he took a family practice residency at Lancaster General Hospital, after which he continued as a preceptor for that program until his retirement. He practiced family medicine in Grandview Heights, Lancaster, PA from 1963 through 1998.
He taught Epidemiology and Immunology for two years in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program at Lancaster General Hospital and served as part-time physician at Franklin and Marshall College from 1965-1970. Dr. Krissinger was a past president of the local American Cancer Society. He was also a founding board member of the original Hospice of Lancaster County where he served as medical director for ten years.
After retirement, Bob volunteered as a radio reader for the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired, as well as a sorter for the Lancaster Library Used Book Program. Additionally, he joined the United Way in attempting to establish a Lancaster County Health Department. This program still awaits approval of the County Commissioners. For this effort Bob was awarded Volunteer of the Year (with his colleagues) by the United Way. He was also awarded a commendation from the Lancaster City and County Medical Society and a Red Rose from Lancaster Newspapers for his work with Hospice. As Chairman of the Environmental Control Committee of LGH, he became instrumental in noise reduction in the hospital, particularly the elimination of constant paging in the hospital.
Dr. Krissinger was a member of the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Lancaster City and County Medical Society and the American Academy of Family Practice.
Bob was a devoted husband as well as an exceptional role model for his children, with whom he shared his love of travel, books, science, teaching, sports, word puzzles, birds, and gardening. His desire to continue learning did not diminish with his age, and his ability to remember what he had learned was remarkable. He lived his definition of success by having left the world a better place through his work and his example.
A memorial celebration for Bob will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster (140 Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602) on Saturday, December 4 at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 9:30 in the Chapel. Services will be livestreamed and available via the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-krissinger
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care (685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA, 17603).
Anna “ Cookie “ Plowden (Williams)
Dr Krissinger was my family doctor growing up, him and Mrs Krissinger always made us feel like family, he was a WONDERFUL AND VERY CARING MAN not just a doctor!!
I remember after I had my daughter at Lancaster General and he wasn’t my doctor anymore , he seen my name on the patient list and stopped by to see me and my new born and told me he had to make sure they were doing right by me cause he still thought of me as one of his!!
My DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY!!❤️
Truly a GREAT MAN,
Sleep well and Rest easy Doc!
Anna “Cookie” Plowden(Williams)
Molly Henderson
Our community has been well served by Dr. Kissinger. I got to know him when we explored the possibility of a county health department. Both of the Kissingers cared about the welfare of our citizens. Thank you Dr. Kissinger.
Molly Henderson
Deborah B. Everett
Dear Dick and Family of Robert Krissinger,
Your Mother and Father were really fine people, and I so enjoyed knowing them. First Presbyterian was one place where I could count on a warm conversation and know first-hand their enthusiasm and dedication to the church and life in general. I well remember your Father visiting with your Grandfather Krissinger when he was staying at Whitehall–a fine family for generations! Know that I send deepest sympathy and will keep you close in my thoughts and prayers. What a gift to have had parents who gave so much to their family and community.
Most sincerely,
Deborah B. Everett
North Andover, MA
Kathryn potter
One of the better ones he did every thing to make you feel cared for truly a wonderful Doctor and man rest easy Dr Krissinger you will be sorely missed blessings to your family ❤
Marsha H Fisher
I had to take the chance to let your family know the difference your Dad and Mom made in many lives. When our children were small, we lived on Helen Avenue behind your parents. Dr. Krissinger was so good about seeing us when we needed to be seen and always made the correct diagnosis with amazing swiftness. When he retired to Crooked Oak, we followed him there and we still see the doctors that are at that location.
He, your Mom, and his nurse will never be forgotten by our family.
Marsha and Kirk Fisher
Eileen Foxwell
Dr. Krissinger was both a caring, compassionate doctor who cared for me and my family through the late 60’s and 70’s, prior to our move to Washington, D.C, and also a wonderful person! He always took the time to answer any questions we had with his full attention. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. I’m sure he will be sorely missed!
With sympathy,
Eileen Harnish Foxwell
William Marshall
I got to know Dr. Krissinger during his days at Franklin and Marshall College. He helped with athletic physicals and could be seen playing squash with athletic trainer Chuck Taylor during many noon hours. He was friendly and always enjoyed a good joke. My regards to the family. As you already know, we’ve lost a good man.
Dr. William Marshall
F&M Athletic Director Emeriti
Mark and Lois Nagy
By nature and nurture, Dr. Krissinger, (Bob, or Kriss), was a kind and competent student when we were undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh. It was a pleasure several years ago to spend a weekend with him at a small reunion of our Sigma Chi Fraternity brothers. His love of his late wife and family was evident throughout our conversations. His exemplary character was evident in his modesty of stellar accomplishments and acceptance of the health challenges of advancing years. . We extend our sympathy, love, and prayers to his family
Erin Sullivan
Dr. Krissinger was our family doctor when we were growing up. I used to love when we would go to see him because he was so kind and we could always look forward to his pulling some trinket from our ears when we were done. One time, I had just gotten a set of dolls from the Wizard of Oz and that visit he pulled out a little dog that looked just like Toto. It was such a small thing for him to do but is still a magical childhood memory for me.
My sincerest condolences to the Krissinger family.
Alan Peterson, MD
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Bob, as I knew him, and I go way back. We were both family physicians and in Lancaster County practicing medicine and teaching residents and medical students. He was exremely caring, as all who were cared by him stated repeatedly. We both have had a keen interest in establishing a county health department. I still look forward hopefully to that day. We both were involved in many of the same associations and societies. I looked forward to his smile and listening to his new knowledge with each meeting we had.
It is a true honor to have known and been a colleague of this great caring physician, teacher, volunteer, father, and man. All will miss him and the tremendous example he set. I know his love is spread today among tens of thousands that he had come in contact with over his life.
Michael and Virginia Young
Family of Dr. Krissinger,
My husband and I were new to the area in the early 70s so we had no family doctor here. I can’t remember who recommended your father/grandfather to us, but we are very grateful for that. Dr. Krissinger was a wonderful, caring doctor no matter what the situation. We loved the small office in your house with the attention that is hard to get in a large practice these days. We both stayed with Dr. Krissinger until he retired and were sad to have to find another doctor. I still think of him every time I drive by the old house/office.
Brenda Kittinger Haverstick
To the family of Dr. Krissinger
Words cannot convey the love and gratitude our family had for Dr. Krissinger. He was such a great doctor and also a wonderful person. He made a house call to our home long after doctors no longer made house calls. He had a good sense of humor that made his patients feel so comfortable, but was still very professional. Dr. Krissinger was one in a million and will be greatly missed. We were also quite fond of Mrs. Krissinger and Mrs. Canfield. My condolences to your family. May happy memories sustain you through this difficult time.
Mary Ann Shepler and Cindy Shepler Holden
Dear Jack, Sue, and Art,
My mother and I send our most sincere condolences in the loss of your father. What an incredible man and legacy he has left. He touched so many lives, including mine as my kind and caring pediatrician when we moved to Lancaster. You are in our thoughts.
Jean and Bill Liette
To the Family of Dr Krissinger,
Dr Krissinger was a very kind person and a great doctor. My Mother, Marian Canfield was his nurse for many years and she loved working with Dr Krissinger. We had a great visit with Dr Krissinger in May and enjoyed reminiscing with him . Your Father and Mother will be deeply missed. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family.
Jack & Judy Briner
Great doctor and a great man – very caring and a good listener. Our sincere condolences.
Dan & Judy Lippman
We are especially thinking of you on Saturday as you celebrate Bob’s life, and all he did and meant to each of you in the family and to his friends. We shall remember all the wonderful times we spent with him and Ann during travels together, or visiting in Arizona or Pennsylvania. He will not be forgotten by us.
We’re sad we cannot be there for his memorial service. Sending you hugs and our love.
Charlene Metzler
To the Family of Dr. Krissinger:
When the only physician I knew from birth retired, I became a patient of Dr. Krissinger and he remained my doctor until his retirement. He also took care of my husband and our two children. Having grown up in Grandview Heights, it was comforting to be able to go to his office which was attached to the family house. For a long time after he retired, it was poignant to drive by the home on Grandview Blvd. when I was in the Heights to visit my father. “Doc” was an excellent physician and a wonderful man. It was always nice to see your mother Ann, too. Both of them worked tirelessly to make the community of Lancaster a fine place to live. Whenever I ran into them at a restaurant or at a sporting contest, they were so gracious to me. We exchanged Christmas cards each year and I always looked forward to news of your family. You can be proud of the legacy left by both of your parents. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Charlene Metzler
Rila Hackett
When my husband, Don, and I and our family moved to the Lancaster area in 1998, Bob Krissinger was just beginning the season of retirement, so we really didn’t know the depth of his accomplishments over the first 3/4 of his life. What an amazing journey this humble man lived and what a legacy of influence he’s imparted. One would never know all that Bob accomplished because he would never tell you. Thank you for the beautifully written obituary and each person’s comments on how exceptional Bob was as a doctor, friend, family man, and community servant. All of this has deepened our affection and admiration for him.
I imagine that there was a resounding “Well done, good and faithful servant!” when Bob entered his eternal home. Thanks be to God for this beloved man! ~ Rila Hackett