Dr. Robert "Bob" Milanovich

Dr. Robert “Bob” Milanovich, 83, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, November 1, 2026. He was the devoted husband of Jayne Milanovich for 59 years. Bob was a retired pediatrician who practiced medicine in Lynchburg for more than 30 years.

Bob was born in Indiana on November 27, 1942, to the late Anthony Milanovich and the late Mary E. Gowing.

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his daughter, Christie Doherty (Don) of Richmond, VA, and son, Geoffrey Milanovich (Brooke) of Knoxville, TN. Bob was a loving father and grandfather who took tremendous pride in his family, especially his two grandchildren, Will Doherty of New York, NY, and Kate Doherty of Los Angeles, CA. Bob is also survived by his brother, George Milanovich of San Diego, CA, and sisters Barbara Milanovich of Lafayette, CA, and Margaret George of Grapevine, TX.

Bob grew up in Kenmore, NY. He was a 1961 graduate of Kenmore West Senior High School and attended the University of Buffalo (UB), where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and accepted into medical school before completing his undergraduate degree. He met his future wife, Jayne, in a logic class on the first day of her freshman year at UB, and they married in 1967. He worked throughout both high school and college at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where, when he wasn’t doing research, he cleaned rat cages and joked that it took cleaning 100 rat cages to pay for one ice cream date.

Jayne had grown fond of Virginia during her family travels, and Bob agreed to a move south after many mornings of chipping ice off his car after night shifts. He completed his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in Richmond in 1968. Bob remained at MCV for three years, completing a one-year internship and a two-year residency in pediatrics, during a portion of which he served as chief resident.

Upon completion of his residency, Bob served his country in the United States Army in Germany as a pediatrician from 1971 to 1974. While stationed there, Bob worked with a native Lynchburg physician who introduced him to the city’s charms. Bob was honorably discharged with the rank of major.

Upon returning to Virginia in 1974, Bob joined Dr. John Stephenson to form Stephenson and Milanovich Pediatrics, which later became Richeson Drive Pediatrics. He practiced there until his retirement in 2007. The family home still echoes with memories of him imitating the sound of croup on the phone to concerned parents, usually in the middle of the night. In the later years of his practice, he focused on children with learning difficulties, ADD, and ADHD, earning the appreciation of teachers and parents who valued his advice and support.

Bob and Jayne’s time in Germany showed them how much they loved to travel. He delighted in planning trips and discovering new places, often driving through unfamiliar countries with Jayne navigating by paper map. Their travels occasionally involved driving in circles, but the detours became part of the adventure. Some of his favorite destinations included Croatia, New Zealand, America’s national parks, and any trip to the beach. His other hobbies included attending plays and concerts, gardening, driving his John Deere tractor, and woodworking. His handmade Christmas gifts became an eagerly anticipated annual tradition, with family and friends wondering what he would create next. More recently, he put his woodworking skills to use building sets at Commerce Street Theater, where he met many new friends.

Bob was a member of Peakland United Methodist Church for over 50 years. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at the church columbarium. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peakland United Methodist Church (tinyurl.com/BobMilanovich, attn: Columbarium Fence Fund). And in Bob’s spirit, take your loved ones on a trip!

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.