Dr. Kilmer was an internationally renowned clinician, teacher and researcher. He was known for the state-of-the-art and compassionate rehabilitation care he provided to patients with traumatic neurologic conditions, amputations and neuromuscular diseases.

Longtime colleague Craig McDonald, professor and interim chair of the PM&R department, said, "He was passionate about teaching his medical students and residents. Dave was a gifted researcher who published extensively in the medical literature on the effects of exercise in patients with neuromuscular disease, and he made numerous contributions that have influenced the care of these patients worldwide."

Born on July 25, 1957, in Newport Beach, Calif., Dr. Kilmer received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UCLA, graduating magna cum laude. He received his medical degree from the UC Davis School of Medicine in 1985, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society distinction. Upon completing his PM&R residency at UC Davis Medical Center in 1989, he joined the faculty of the PM&R department. He was director of UC Davis Medical Center's electromyography laboratory, and adult prosthetics and orthotics clinics.

Dr. Kilmer had been chair of the PM&R department since 2000. During his time as chair, the department grew in faculty, staff and research activity to its current, internationally recognized status. He twice won the faculty teaching award. In 2005, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UC Davis School of Medicine and the Citation for Excellence from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.

He served on the board of directors for the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and was on the editorial board for the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Kilmer was a founding member of the neuromuscular medicine subspecialty board, jointly under the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Kilmer is survived by his wife, Stephanie; four children – Taryn, Ryan, Matthew and Anna; his parents, M. Daniel and Betty Kilmer of Newport Beach, Calif.; his parents-in-law, Larry and Linda Putnam of Atascadero, Calif.; two sisters – Debbie Mullin of Irvine, Calif., and Suzanne DeMarks of Costa Mesa, Calif.; two sisters-in-law – Carol (Todd) Moberg of Pleasanton, Calif., and Nicole Putnam of Sacramento; and nieces and nephews Peter and Sarah Mullin, Kayla and Parker Moberg, and Nadine Redling.

Donations may be made to a family fund:

Dr. David Kilmer Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 19166
Sacramento, Calif., 95819-0166.