Dr. Robert Street Jackson, 64

DOVER - Dr. Robert Street Jackson of Dover died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 64.

Dr. Jackson was born March 27, 1943, in New York, to the late Robert Charles and Lura (Street) Jackson.

He worked for the past 13 years as the chief of the Communicable Disease Bureau of the Delaware Division of Public Health, retiring in 2007.

Prior to moving to Delaware in 1994, he had a colorful career as a public servant.

Dr. Jackson graduated in 1964 from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., where he had been active in his fraternity, EQV. He was attracted to this fraternal group because of its policy of inclusiveness that resulted in a racial, ethnic and religiously diverse membership.

Dr. Jackson earned a medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City in 1968, and had post-graduate training at the UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, Va., and Babies Hospital of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York.

In 1971, he was commissioned in the U.S. Public Health Service, serving as an epidemic intelligence service officer for the Centers for Disease Control.

Dr. Jackson was assigned as medical epidemiologist to the Hawaii State Department of Health.

While serving in Hawaii, he and his wife, Jayne Gosnell, had two children.

From 1974 to 1979, Dr. Jackson worked for the Virginia State Health Department as director of epidemiology, the Bureau of Preventive Medical Services, and later as assistant state health commissioner.

During his tenure there he directed the investigation of a major Kepone spill into the James River. His management of the investigation and his clarity in explaining it to the public brought national recognition to his work.

Dr. Jackson was recruited to be the commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control by its board in 1979 and served in that position until 1986. He was the first commissioner to fully grasp and embrace the dual and interdependent responsibilities of the agency for public health and environmental protection.

During his tenure, he initiated action to address the newly recognized AIDS epidemic through testing, epidemiologic investigations, follow up treatment, and education of the public. He increased DHEC"s commitment to diversity in staffing, both multi-disciplinary and racial, and hired the agency"s first African-American physician.

When it became necessary for him to seek treatment for his long struggle with alcoholism, Dr. Jackson"s candor about his illness and rehabilitation opened new awareness and support for prevention and treatment of addiction.

Subsequent to leaving DHEC, he became board certified in addictionology and developed a private practice that became a major resource for treatment of impaired health professionals.

Dr. Jackson was instrumental in developing the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners" Impaired Physician Program.

When President Clinton created a federal office for AIDS and appointed a chief staff person reporting directly to him, Dr. Jackson was sought out by the new AIDS czar to work with her to strengthen the public health approach in a nationwide effort to address this epidemic.

Dr. Jackson"s life presented him with many challenges. He met those challenges with courage, and made a difference in many lives.

He had an astute sense of humor, a great love of animals and nature in all its forms, and limitless compassion for people from all walks of life.

Dr. Jackson is survived by his daughter, Jennifer D. Jackson of Greenville, S.C.; his son, Jason S. Jackson; daughter-in-law, Wendy S. Jackson; granddaughter, Lauren S. Jackson of Raleigh, N.C.; his brother, Thomas W. Jackson and sister-in-law, Nan S. Jackson of Staatsburg, N.Y.; three nephews, Christopher Jackson, Peter Jackson, and William Jackson; and his ex-wife, Jayne G. Helm of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover, will be handling the arrangements.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Carter Center, Office of Development, 1 Copenhill Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, a foundation that is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Bob admired Jimmy Carter, and shared the foundation"s ideals.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed, at www.torbertfuneral.com.