Robert Bradfield Tesh died peacefully at the age of 90 on September 14, 2026. Dr. Tesh had a remarkable career researching arthropod-borne and zoonotic viral diseases. He was the director of the World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses for thirty years. He was also a professor at UTMB Galveston and Yale University and he had over 500 scientific publications. His career spanned over fifty years and he received several awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Department of Pathology, UTMB; the William C. Gorgas, Merit Award from the Gorgas Memorial Institute in Panama; and the Richard M. Taylor award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Committee on Arthropod-Borne Viruses. A strong proponent of international scientific collaboration, Dr. Tesh partnered with colleagues from all over the world and mentored hundreds of emerging scientists in the field, whose career were deeply impacted by his wisdom, generosity and integrity.

Dr. Tesh was born in Wilmington Delaware on January 22, 1936 to Robert Christian and Edith Bradfield Tesh. He earned a BS in Zoology from Franklin and Marshall College in 1957, an MD from Jefferson Medical College in 1961 and an MS in epidemiology from Tulane University in 1967.

Dr. Tesh is survived by his wife, Hilda Guzman, his brother Ken Tesh, his daughters Diana (Mark), Carolyn (Dan), and Natalia (Adam), four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

To commemorate his life and career, a memorial service event will be held on Friday September 18th at 3:30 pm in the Levin Hall dining room on the UTMB campus. A virtual option will be available through the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/6194508. Complimentary parking will be provided in Garage 4, located at 365-379 11th St. Galveston, TX, 77550.

A tribute to Dr. Tesh will also be held by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and at the Sociedade Brasileira de Virology. Details will be available via the society’s website.

Dr. Tesh was a lifelong animal lover, and his final years were brightened by his beloved dog Panther. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Galveston Island Humane Society.