Celebrating the Life of Dr. Robert Butler

The Administration on Aging joins Secretary Sebelius and others throughout the world  in celebrating the life of Dr. Robert Butler, who passed away on the 4th of July. 

Dr. Butler's absence leaves a void that will not soon be filled in the corridors of geriatrics, medicine, research, science, education, literature and advocacy.  Much will be said about Dr. Butler over the next several days and weeks, but perhaps it is his own words that will help us through this difficult time. In his Pulitzer Prize winning book called "Why Survive: Being Old In America," he wrote,  "After one has lived a life of meaning, death may lose much of its terror, for what we fear most is not really death, but a meaningless and absurd life." For those of us fortunate enough to have known Dr. Butler and his work, the phrase "lived a life of meaning" could not be more appropriate. 

Please read Secretary Sebelius' statement below:

Statement from Secretary Sebelius on the Death of Dr. Robert Butler

I join the rest of the country in mourning the death of Dr. Robert Butler, one of America’s greatest champions for the health and wellbeing of older Americans.  As the first director of the National Institute of Aging, the founder of the country’s first geriatrics department, and in a decades-long career as a physician and policy advisor, Dr. Butler brought critical new public attention and medical resources to improving the health of our seniors.

He made great contributions as a researcher, playing a key role in the discovery that some of the debilitating conditions associated with old age could actually be prevented with the right care.  But he made an even bigger impact as an advocate.  He coined the term “ageism” and then became its most determined critic, helping to transform a culture that too often acted as if people’s contributions to society ended on their 65th birthday.

Dr. Butler’s own career showed just how wrong that view was, as he continued to be an international leader in geriatrics right up until his death at age 83.  For his trailblazing work to help seniors live rich and healthy lives – to not just survive, but thrive – all Americans, young and old, owe him an enormous debt.  We will miss him dearly.